U.S. patent application number 14/092969 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-05 for data exchange system and data exchange method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sophia Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sophia Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Mutsumi FUJIHARA, Yukio FUJIMOTO.
Application Number | 20140156859 14/092969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49595715 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140156859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FUJIHARA; Mutsumi ; et
al. |
June 5, 2014 |
DATA EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND DATA EXCHANGE METHOD
Abstract
Data exchange section 104 has a step of determining whether or
not pairs of the transmission selecting conditions and reception
selecting conditions satisfy a standard for exchanging, through a
determined pair, data between a transmission user who corresponds
to a transmission selecting condition in the determined pair and a
reception user who corresponds to a reception selecting condition
in the determined pair. Data exchange system 100 exchanges data
satisfying both the transmission selecting condition and the
reception selecting condition in the determined pair between the
transmission user and the reception user, respectively
corresponding to the transmission selecting condition and the
reception selecting condition in the determined pair.
Inventors: |
FUJIHARA; Mutsumi;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; FUJIMOTO; Yukio; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sophia Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sophia Co., Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
49595715 |
Appl. No.: |
14/092969 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/229 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 15/17306 20130101;
H04L 51/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/229 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/173 20060101
G06F015/173 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2012 |
JP |
2012-262728 |
Claims
1. A data exchange system which is used for exchanging data between
a transmission user who transmits the data and a reception user who
receives the data, and in which a transmission selecting condition
is a condition set by the transmission user for selecting a data
item to be transmitted, and a reception selecting condition is a
condition set by the reception user for selecting a data item to be
received, the data exchange system comprising a data exchange
section having a step of selecting, from pairs of the transmission
selecting conditions and the reception selecting conditions, where
each pair includes a transmission selecting condition and a
reception selecting condition, a pair of a transmission selecting
condition and a reception selecting condition that satisfy a
predetermined standard, wherein the data exchange section exchanges
a data item satisfying both the transmission selecting condition
and the reception selecting condition in the selected pair between
a transmission user and a reception user corresponding to the
transmission selecting condition and the reception selecting
condition in the selected pair.
2. The data exchange system according to claim 1, wherein the data
exchange section determines whether or not the standard is
satisfied based on a feature of a reception selecting condition and
a transmission selecting condition in representation.
3. The data exchange system according to claim 1, wherein: the
transmission user owns data and transmits the owned data; the
reception user owns data and receives data; a transmission granting
condition is a condition set by the transmission user for selecting
a reception user; a reception granting condition is a condition set
by the reception user for selecting a transmission user; the data
exchange section includes a step of determining, for each pair of
the transmission granting condition and the reception granting
condition, whether or not a transmission user corresponding to the
transmission granting condition in the pair satisfies the reception
granting condition in the pair and a reception user corresponding
to the reception granting condition in the pair satisfies the
transmission granting condition in the pair; and the data exchange
section exchanges a data item satisfying both the transmission
selecting condition and the reception selecting condition in the
selected pair between a transmission user and a reception user who
correspond to the transmission selecting condition and the
reception selecting condition in the selected pair and are
determined as mutually satisfying a reception granting condition
and a transmission granting condition, respectively set by the
reception user and the transmission user.
4. The data exchange system according to claim 1, further
comprising a conversion storage section that stores a
correspondence between an alias and user identification information
of a user represented by the alias; and an input/output control
section that replaces an alias included in an input data item with
user identification information corresponding to the alias with
reference to the conversion storage section, and replaces user
identification information included in an output data item and user
identification information assigned to the output data item with an
alias corresponding to the user identification information with
reference to the conversion storage section.
5. A data exchange system used for exchanging data between a
transmission user who owns data and transmits the owned data and a
reception user who owns data and receives data, a transmission
granting condition being a condition set by the transmission user,
with regard to the data owned by the reception user, for selecting
a reception user, a reception granting condition being a condition
set by the reception user, with regard to the data owned by the
transmission user, for selecting a transmission user, the data
exchange system comprising a data exchange section having a step of
determining, for each pair of the transmission granting condition
and the reception granting condition, whether or not a transmission
user corresponding to the transmission granting condition in the
pair satisfies the reception granting condition in the pair and a
reception user corresponding to the reception granting condition in
the pair satisfies the transmission granting condition in the pair,
and the data exchange section exchanges a data item between a
transmission user and a reception user who are determined as
mutually satisfying a reception granting condition and a
transmission granting condition, respectively set by the reception
user and the transmission user.
6. The data exchange system according to claim 5, wherein a
transmission selecting condition is a condition set by the
transmission user for selecting a data item, a reception selecting
condition is a condition set by the reception user for selecting a
data item, the data exchange section has a step of selecting, from
pairs of the transmission selecting conditions and the reception
selecting conditions, where each pair includes a transmission
selecting condition and a reception selecting condition, a pair of
a transmission selecting condition and a reception selecting
condition that satisfy a predetermined standard, and the data
exchange section exchanges a data item satisfying both the
transmission selecting condition and the reception selecting
condition in the selected pair between a transmission user and a
reception user who correspond to the transmission selecting
condition and the reception selecting condition in the selected
pair and are determined as mutually satisfying a reception granting
condition and a transmission granting condition each set by a
communication partner.
7. The data exchange system according to claim 5, further
comprising a conversion storage section that stores a
correspondence between an alias and user identification information
of a user represented by the alias; and an input/output control
section that replaces an alias included in an input data item with
user identification information corresponding to the alias with
reference to the conversion storage section, and replaces user
identification information included in the output data item and
user identification information assigned to an output data item
with an alias corresponding to the user identification information
with reference to the conversion storage section.
8. A data exchange method which is used for exchanging data between
a transmission user who transmits data and a reception user who
receives data, and in which a transmission selecting condition is a
condition set by the transmission user for selecting a data item to
be transmitted, and a reception selecting condition is a condition
set by the reception user for selecting a data item to be received,
the data exchange method comprising: a step of selecting, from
pairs of the transmission selecting conditions and the reception
selecting conditions, where each pair includes a transmission
selecting condition and a reception selecting condition, a pair of
a transmission selecting condition and a reception selecting
condition that satisfy a predetermined standard; and a step of
exchanging a data item satisfying both the transmission selecting
condition and the reception selecting condition in the selected
pair between a transmission user and a reception user corresponding
to the transmission selecting condition and the reception selecting
condition in the selected pair.
9. A data exchange method used for exchanging data between a
transmission user who owns data and transmits the owned data and a
reception user who owns data and receives data, a transmission
granting condition being a condition set by the transmission user,
with regard to the data owned by the reception user, for selecting
a reception user, a reception granting condition being a condition
set by the reception user, with regard to the data owned by the
transmission user, for selecting a transmission user, the data
exchange method comprising: a step of determining, for each pair of
the transmission granting condition and the reception granting
condition, whether or not a transmission user corresponding to the
transmission granting condition in the pair satisfies the reception
granting condition in the pair and a reception user corresponding
to the reception granting condition in the pair satisfies the
transmission granting condition in the pair, and a step of
exchanging a data item between a transmission user and a reception
user who are determined as mutually satisfying a reception granting
condition and a transmission granting condition, respectively set
by the reception user and the transmission user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is entitled and claims the benefit of
Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-262728, filed on Nov. 30,
2012, the disclosure of which including the specification, drawings
and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a data exchange system and
a data exchange method capable of selecting the most suitable data
exchange partner when exchanging data on a network.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Systems using an e-mail system and the Internet are known as
common systems for data exchange.
[0004] In the conventional system, a transmission user exchanges
data by individually specifying the reception partner by an address
or a user identifier when exchanging data through an e-mail system.
When the address or the user identifier is already known, the
reception user also receives unnecessary messages from an
unspecified transmission user.
[0005] In a website or a discussion board on the Internet, the
transmission user can receive data owned by an unspecified number
of transmission users, without specifying a communication partner
individually each time. However, since there is no way to limit
reception users accessible to data items uploaded on the website by
the transmission user, all of data items uploaded on a website by
the transmission user are treated as data items to be transmitted,
and are open to an unspecified number of reception users.
[0006] As described above, the conventional technology is
inconvenient to a transmission user in that the transmission user
cannot provide data only to unspecified reception users who satisfy
conditions preferred by the transmission user himself. In addition,
the conventional technology is inconvenient to the reception user
in that a data item necessary for the reception user cannot be
received only from an unspecified transmission user who satisfies
conditions preferred by the reception user.
[0007] The following techniques are presented as techniques for
partially solving the problems.
[0008] PTL 1 discloses a technique in a system for sending e-mail
after specifying a group address based on a mailing list, the
technique being for automatically determining an address of a
partner satisfying a predetermined condition when sending e-mail as
a member belonging to a group address, and sending the e-mail.
[0009] PTL 2 discloses a system for collectively managing whether
or not personal information can be disclosed by a disclosure route
managing server as a method for controlling disclosure by
disclosing information only when a right to disclose personal
information exists, in order to prevent the personal information
from leaking.
[0010] Conventionally, documents and data with keywords and
classifications assigned are accumulated, and the documents and the
data are selected for a search by specifying a keyword and a
classification by a searcher. With this, unspecified searchers may
be limited by a keyword or a classification.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
PTL 1
[0011] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-108507
PTL 2
[0011] [0012] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2008-191748
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0013] With the technique according to PTL 1, although the
transmission user can specify a condition that a reception user who
is a member of a group address should satisfy, the reception user
cannot specify a condition that the transmission user should
satisfy. The condition can be used for specifying only a member
belonging to a group address, not an unspecified user.
[0014] According to the technique disclosed in PTL 2, it is
necessary for a disclosure route management server to update a list
of servers included in a disclosure range in real time each time a
disclosure range of personal information is updated. In addition,
it is necessary for the disclosure route management server to find
out whether or not a server of each vendor is included in a
disclosure range regarding the personal information.
[0015] In the conventional technique for assigning a plurality of
keywords and classifications to documents and data, there is a
problem that it takes a considerable effort to assign keywords and
classifications to each document and data in advance when there is
a large amount of documents and data, and that a flexible response
to changes on a standard for assigning keywords and classifications
is difficult. There is another problem in the conventional
technique that the assigned keywords and classifications do not
necessarily reflect the details of the documents and data
precisely.
[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a data
exchange system and data exchange method that allow each user to
exchange only data satisfying a condition set by the user with only
users satisfying a condition set by the user, without disclosing
the user identification information to another user, when
exchanging data with unspecified users.
Solution to Problem
[0017] A data exchange system according to an aspect of the present
invention is a data exchange system which is used for exchanging
data between a transmission user who transmits the data and a
reception user who receives the data, and in which a transmission
selecting condition is a condition set by the transmission user for
selecting a data item to be transmitted, and a reception selecting
condition is a condition set by the reception user for selecting a
data item to be received, the data exchange system including a data
exchange section having a step of selecting, from pairs of the
transmission selecting conditions and the reception selecting
conditions, where each pair includes a transmission selecting
condition and a reception selecting condition, a pair of a
transmission selecting condition and a reception selecting
condition that satisfy a predetermined standard, in which the data
exchange section exchanges a data item satisfying both the
transmission selecting condition and the reception selecting
condition in the selected pair between a transmission user and a
reception user corresponding to the transmission selecting
condition and the reception selecting condition in the selected
pair.
[0018] A data exchange method according to an aspect of the present
invention is a data exchange method which is used for exchanging
data between a transmission user who transmits data and a reception
user who receives data, and in which a transmission selecting
condition is a condition set by the transmission user for selecting
a data item to be transmitted, and a reception selecting condition
is a condition set by the reception user for selecting a data item
to be received, the data exchange method including: a step of
selecting, from pairs of the transmission selecting conditions and
the reception selecting conditions, where each pair includes a
transmission selecting condition and a reception selecting
condition, a pair of a transmission selecting condition and a
reception selecting condition that satisfy a predetermined
standard; and a step of exchanging a data item satisfying both the
transmission selecting condition and the reception selecting
condition in the selected pair between a transmission user and a
reception user corresponding to the transmission selecting
condition and the reception selecting condition in the selected
pair.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0019] According to the present invention, the transmission user
and the reception user who exchange data specify conditions for
selecting data items to be transmitted/received as a reception
selecting condition and the transmission selecting condition. Data
items satisfying both of the conditions are exchanged only when the
two conditions satisfy a separately-defined standard for a data
exchange between the transmission user and the reception user
through the conditions. With this, when exchanging data between
unspecified users, each user can exchange only data items matching
a condition set by the user himself, without disclosing user
identification of the user to another user.
[0020] Furthermore, according to the present invention, conditions
that should be mutually satisfied between the transmission user and
the reception user for granting the execution of data exchange are
specified as a transmission granting condition and a reception
granting condition, and data is exchanged between a transmission
user and a reception user only with a partner who satisfies the two
conditions at the same time. With this, when exchanging data
between unspecified users, each user can exchange data with a
partner satisfying a condition set by the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given herein below and the appended
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not intended as a definition of the limits of the present
invention, and wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating components
of a data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a selection receiving
process by the data exchange system according to the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a selection receiving
process by the data exchange system according to the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a reception condition
removing process by the data exchange system according to the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a selection transmitting
process by the data exchange system according to the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a selection transmitting
process by the data exchange system according to the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission condition
removing process by the data exchange system according to the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a data adding process by
the data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a data adding process by
the data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a data removing process
by the data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a data removing process
by the data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a first partial process
by the data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a second partial process
by the data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a third partial process
by the data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a selection receiving
command process by the data exchange system according to the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a reception condition
removing command process by the data exchange system according to
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a selection transmitting
command process by the data exchange system according to the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission condition
removing command process by the data exchange system according to
the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a data adding command
process by the data exchange system according to the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a data removing command
process by the data exchange system according to the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a process for
implementing searching function for reception selecting condition
in Example 1 of the data exchange system according to the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a process for
implementing searching function for transmission selecting
condition in Example 1 of the data exchange system according to the
present invention;
[0044] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a process for
implementing searching function for transmission selecting
condition according to Example 2 of the data exchange system
according to the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a message in Example 1 of
a data exchange system according to the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 25 illustrates an example of a data sequence in Example
1 of a data exchange system according to the present invention;
and
[0047] FIG. 26 illustrates an example of a message in Example 1 of
a data exchange system according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0048] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in
detail as follows with reference to the attached drawings.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
[0049] First, the following is the description of terms and
concepts used in embodiments of the present invention. Functions of
a data exchange system according to the present invention
(hereafter referred to as "the system") will be described as
well.
[0050] (1) "User, Owner User, Transmission User, Reception
User"
[0051] The system allows a plurality of users to exchange data. In
the system, "user" refers to a uniquely identified user, and
corresponds to an external user using the system in a one-to-one
correspondence. Stated differently, the system presumes that no
user uses the system using false identities of a plurality of
users.
[0052] A user owning data is referred to as an "owner user" of the
data. When the data exchange is performed or when there is a
possibility of the data exchange, the users are referred to as a
"transmission user" and a "reception user" for clearly describing
their roles. The "transmission user" refers to a user owning the
data, and the "reception user" refers to a user receiving the data
disclosed. When the data is actually handed over to the reception
user, the reception user "received the data", and the transmission
user who owns the data "transmitted the data." Alternatively, this
operation may also be referred to as "data transmission/reception
is performed" from the transmission user to the reception user, or
"data exchange is performed" between the transmission user and the
reception user.
[0053] Note that, in the system, the user is represented by an
identifier such as user identification information or a user ID
unique to the user. In the following description, the term "user"
refers to an "identifier representing the user" unless otherwise
noted.
[0054] (2) Regarding "Data"
[0055] In this specification, a data item consisting of a unit for
an exchange between the users through the system may be referred to
as "data". A data item is owned by at least one user. The data
exchange by the system is performed by a disclosure of the data to
a user other than an owner user of the data.
[0056] To the reception user, disclosure of the data to the
reception user is reception of the data, and to the owner user
(transmission user), the disclosure is transmission of the data. To
put it differently, the data transmission/reception is performed
between the transmission user and the reception user, and thus the
data is exchanged between the transmission user and the reception
user.
[0057] Note that, in the system, the data is collectively processed
with information on the owner user, which will be described later.
However, user identification information for identifying the owner
user (user) is not disclosed to another user.
[0058] (3) Regarding "Reception Selecting Condition and
Transmission Selecting Condition"
[0059] The data exchange according to the system is performed by
selecting data items matching conditions set by each user and
transmitting/receiving data items for each condition. In this
specification, a condition set by each reception user for selecting
the reception data item is referred to as a "reception selecting
condition". Similarly, a condition set by each transmission user
for selecting transmitting data is referred to as a "transmission
selecting condition".
[0060] As the data exchange in the system, only data satisfying the
pair of the reception selecting condition and the transmission
selecting condition may be exchanged between the transmission user
and the reception user through the conditions. In the system, the
transmission/reception is performed between users setting the
conditions only when both the reception selecting condition and the
transmission selecting condition satisfy a standard defined
separately for data exchange between the transmission user and the
reception user through the conditions. With this, the data to be
transmitted/received is selected, and the users
transmitting/receiving data is selected as well. Note that, in the
following description, the reception selecting condition and the
transmission selecting condition are described as "connectable"
when the reception selecting condition and the transmission
selecting condition satisfy the standard.
[0061] Note that, in the present invention, a possibility that a
data item satisfying both of the conditions exists (both of the
conditions are not exclusive to each other) is a requirement for
the reception selecting condition and the transmission selecting
condition to be "connectable".
[0062] In the present invention, the standard for determining
whether the conditions are "connectable" may be any standard
sufficient for an objective determination, and may be freely set in
Embodiments. The reception user and the transmission user may set
the reception selecting condition and the transmission selecting
condition in consideration of the standard in Embodiment.
[0063] Note that, the standard on whether or not the condition is
"connectable" is not limited to a standard regarding a group of
data items selected by the reception selecting condition and a
group of data items selected by the transmission selecting
condition. For example, in Embodiment where the conditions are
specified by a sequence of a group of keywords that should be
included in a data item, a standard which determines a reception
selecting condition and a transmission selecting condition
indicating "match in a keyword at the beginning of both conditions
(keyword sequence)" as connectable may be adopted. This standard is
based on an assumption and expectation that a keyword that is
considered as the most important by a user who set the condition is
positioned at the beginning of the sequence. In this case, even if
the set of keywords, that is, the group of data items to be
selected is identical, a reception selecting condition and a
transmission selecting condition are not determined as
"connectable" when their beginning keywords are not identical.
[0064] (4) Regarding "Reception Granting Condition and Transmission
Granting Condition"
[0065] In this Specification, a condition defined by each reception
user for defining, for each reception selecting condition, a
transmission user who is allowed to transmit the data satisfying
the reception selecting condition is referred to as a "reception
granting condition". Even if a data item satisfies the reception
selecting condition and the transmission selecting condition and is
held by a transmission user who set a transmission selecting
condition connectable to the reception selecting condition, the
data item from a transmission user who does not satisfy the
"reception granting condition" assigned to the reception selecting
condition of the reception user is not received.
[0066] The reception granting condition is a condition regarding a
given data item owned by the transmission user. More specifically,
the reception granting condition is a condition that must be
satisfied by a transmission user who sets a transmission selecting
condition connectable to a reception selecting condition associated
with the reception granting condition, and who is to transmit a
data item satisfying the transmission selecting condition and the
reception selecting condition to a reception user who sets the
reception selecting condition.
[0067] A condition for defining, by a transmission user, a
reception user to allow reception of a data item satisfying the
transmission selecting condition for each transmission selecting
condition is referred to as a "transmission granting condition".
Even if a data item held by the transmission user satisfies the
reception selecting condition and the transmission selecting
condition, the data item is not transmitted to a reception user who
does not satisfy the "transmission granting condition" assigned to
the transmission selecting condition of the transmission user.
[0068] The transmission granting condition is a condition regarding
a given data item owned by the reception user. More specifically,
the transmission granting condition is a condition that must be
satisfied by a reception user who set a reception selecting
condition connectable to the a transmission selecting condition
associated with the transmission granting condition, and who is to
receive, from a transmission user who sets the transmission
selecting condition, a data item satisfying the reception selecting
condition and the transmission selecting condition.
[0069] (5) Regarding "Reception Data"
[0070] A data item received satisfying the reception selecting
condition (and the reception granting condition) of each reception
user, and the transmission selecting condition (and the
transmission granting condition) of each transmission user is
referred to as "reception data" associated with the reception user
and the reception selecting condition (and the reception granting
condition).
[0071] (6) Regarding "Data Transmission/Reception and Data
Exchange"
[0072] "Performing data transmission/reception" or "data exchange"
in the system actually means associating data items with the
reception user and the reception selecting condition (and reception
granting condition) as the reception data. In this case, the data
item is associated with the transmission user and a transmission
selecting condition (and a transmission granting condition)
connectable to the reception selecting condition. Actual data
disclosure to the reception user may be performed at any time after
the association is completed, as long as there is no change on the
data or conditions contradicting the association.
[0073] When exchanging data, each data item is associated with a
reception user, a transmission user, a reception selecting
condition, a transmission selecting condition, a reception granting
condition, and a transmission granting condition.
[0074] There is a case where the reception data should no longer be
received due to changes in the reception data, and data owned by
the transmission user and the reception user, or changes in a
reception selecting condition, a transmission selecting condition,
a reception granting condition, and a transmission granting
condition. In this case, it is preferable that the association
among reception data, a reception user, and a reception selecting
condition (and a reception granting condition) is terminated, and
the data is removed from the receiving data. When the "real-time"
transmission/reception described above is not performed, and in the
case that a reception user makes a request, the received data is
then temporarily regenerated and then is discarded after being
viewed. To view a generated data item that has been updated, the
user will have to request for the reception of the updated
data.
[0075] In this system, when data items owned by the transmission
user and the reception user are fixed, and a reception selecting
condition, a transmission selecting condition, a reception granting
condition, and a transmission granting condition are set for each
reception user and each transmission user, a user "capable of"
transmitting/receiving each data item is theoretically determined
at that point in time (state).
[0076] The data exchange method according to the present invention
selects a data item to be actually transmitted/received for
disclosing the data item to the reception user (changing the state
of the data item to a state actually capable of disclosure) from
among the transmission/reception that are theoretically available.
To put it differently, the system is capable of determining and
listing transmission/reception to be performed according to a
request for data exchange (command) from among data the
transmission/reception that are theoretically available described
above.
[0077] Types of commands and ranges of data transmission/reception
vary depending on Embodiment. Accordingly, only one data
transmission/reception may be selected, and a command listing all
of the available transmission/reception may be possible.
[0078] Furthermore, a user issuing a command is not limited in this
system. A reception user, a transmission user, or a third party may
issue a command in the system whenever the state described above
(data and each condition) is satisfied. For example, the system
itself may regularly issue a command, and exchange (newest) data at
that point in time.
[0079] (7) Regarding "Alias"
[0080] As described above, when transmission/reception is
performed, association regarding possibility of
transmission/reception among the reception user, the reception
selecting condition, the reception granting condition, the
transmission user, the transmission selecting condition, the
transmission granting condition, and the reception data is checked.
Accordingly, the transmission user of each reception data item can
be identified in the system. Reception data items owned by the same
transmission user are displayed as data owned by one user,
distinguished from the other reception data items.
[0081] In the system, each reception data item is disclosed to the
reception user after assigning an alias distinguishing the
transmission user to another user instead of the identification
information of the transmission user so as to communicate the
distinction to the reception user, without disclosing
identification information of the transmission user to the
reception user. Furthermore, when the user identification
information is included in the content of the reception data item,
for example, when a user ID of the transmission user is included in
the text data in the system, the reception data item is displayed
after the user identification information and the user ID are
converted to an alias assigned to distinguish the user. With this,
even if the reception data item includes the user identification
information, the system does not disclose the user identification
information, and can disclose user identity information including
information on data owned by the user with the reception data
item.
[0082] The system provides a function displaying the user identity
information including the information on the data owned by the user
without disclosing the user identification information.
[0083] Provided Function
[0084] The system may be regarded as a type of database system for
a specific user to search for data owned by another user. Features
of functions of the system will be described from viewpoints of
both a database system and a data exchange system.
[0085] (1) First Feature Function
[0086] The first feature function of the system is that each
transmission user sets a transmission selecting condition, and each
reception user sets a reception selecting condition. With this,
each user selects the data items to be transmitted/received, and
selects a partner (user) for transmission/reception. In the system,
only data items satisfying both a transmission selecting condition
and a reception selecting connection are transmitted/received
between a transmission user and a reception user who set the
transmission selecting condition and the reception selecting
condition that are connectable.
[0087] The reception selecting condition and the transmission
selecting condition plays similar roles to a session (ID), a
connection (ID), or a port (ID) which is implementation of the
protocols, upon selecting a communication partner. However, no
function is implemented in the session, the connection, or the port
themselves for limiting data to be transferred.
[0088] (2) Second Feature Function
[0089] The second feature function of the system is as follows:
when attempting to exchange a data item satisfying a certain
condition (connectable transmission selecting condition and
reception selecting condition) between an unspecified transmission
user and an unspecified reception user, communication partners are
mutually selected by setting a transmission granting condition or a
reception granting condition by each user.
[0090] The reception data is a type of view displaying a search
result. A condition for determining a data item to be disclosed as
a reception data item, that is, a search condition for generating a
view includes a reception selecting condition and a reception
granting condition set with regard to a reception user who browses
the view, and a transmission selecting condition and a transmission
granting condition set with regard to a transmission user who owns
the data.
[0091] Basic conditions for selecting a data item in one view are a
reception selecting condition and a transmission selecting
condition that are connectable to each other. Accordingly,
conditions for determining whether the data can be
transmitted/received may be the following conditions; two selecting
conditions that are connectable and a reception granting condition
or a transmission granting condition.
[0092] The reception user does not receive a data item from a
transmission user who does not satisfy the transmission granting
condition set by the transmission user, even if the data item
satisfies both a reception selecting condition and a transmission
selecting condition that are connectable to each other.
Furthermore, even if a data item satisfies a reception selecting
condition and a transmission selecting condition that are
connectable to each other, the transmission user does not transmit
the data item to a reception user who does not satisfy the
reception granting condition set by the reception user.
[0093] (3) Third Feature Function
[0094] Data and owner user information of the data item
(information representing a user owning the data) are disclosed by
a view. The third feature function of the system is to disclose the
owner user information with the data item, without disclosing
identification information of the owner user. The disclosure of the
owner user information is to distinguish and disclose data items
owned by the same user from data items owned by another user.
[0095] In the system, an identifier of each transmission (owner)
user for each data item is converted to an alias assigned to a user
only for disclosing the owner user information before outputting
the data item. When the data item includes a user identifier, the
user identifier is also converted into an alias. Alternatively, if
a newly registered data includes an alias, the alias is converted
into its corresponding user identifier and the modified data is
registered.
[0096] Note that, with regard to each data item output, data items
owned by the same user may be treated collectively, distinguished
from data items owned by another user, if only difference in the
owner (transmission) user is disclosed or used for calculation.
[0097] Note that, the present invention relates to methods for
communication and data search, and is not limited to a specific
feature of data items to be processed and conditions. Accordingly,
in the following description, Embodiments composed of generic
concepts unrelated to specific features of the data to be processed
and the conditions will be described first. Subsequently, in
Example in which Embodiments are applied as specific data items and
conditions, technical features of the present invention will be
described while applying specific data and condition.
Embodiment
[0098] Embodiment describing an example of the present invention in
a generic concept will be described with reference to the
drawings.
[0099] Note that, in the following description, information record
represented as information input/output between sections and stored
in each storage section (referred to as "data item") is represented
by corresponding information items segmented by "," (comma), and
surrounded by a sign "[" and a sign "]". For example, an
information record in which the owner user is associated with the
data item is represented as [owner user, data]. An information
record in which five information items, that is, a reception user,
a reception selecting condition, a transmission user, a
transmission selecting condition, and a data item are associated is
represented as [reception user, reception selecting condition,
transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data].
[0100] Furthermore, in the following description, similar
expressions will be used for representing a set of information
items in a part of an information record. For example, a set of a
transmission user and a transmission selecting condition in an
information record including the five information items described
above are represented as [transmission user, transmission selecting
condition].
[0101] Note that, in the following description, a part of
information items in an information record may be represented as a
replaced name representing a specific value or a group of specific
values for the information record having a configuration of
information items clearly indicated by context. For example, [owner
user, data] in which the owner user represents a specific
transmission user may be represented as [transmission user,
data].
[0102] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating components
of a data exchange system (the system) according to the embodiment.
System 100 performs data communication with a plurality of
input/output apparatuses 200.
[0103] System 100 processes a command instructing one of the
following operations provided from input/output apparatus 200 along
with an information record including information necessary for
processing, and displays data on predetermined input/output
apparatus 200, or stops the display of data.
[0104] (1) Selection Receiving Operation
[0105] In the selection receiving operation, system 100 determines,
among the data owned by a transmission user who sets a transmission
selecting condition connectable to a specified reception selecting
condition and who satisfies the reception granting condition
assigned to the reception selecting condition and who has a
transmission granting condition assigned to the transmission
selecting condition satisfied by a reception user who set the
reception selecting condition, a data item satisfying both the
transmission selecting condition and the reception selecting
condition as a reception data item associating with the reception
selecting condition.
[0106] (2) Reception Condition Removing Operation
[0107] In the reception condition removing operation, system 100
removes the data that falls under the reception data selection
condition from the reception data when system 100 removes from the
storage a specified selecting condition and the reception granting
condition assigned thereto that were specified by a reception
user.
[0108] (3) Selection Transmitting Operation
[0109] In the selection transmitting operation, system 100
determines, among data items owned by the transmission user, a data
item satisfying both the transmission selecting condition and the
reception selecting condition associated with the reception
selecting condition of a reception user who sets a reception
selecting condition connectable to the specified transmission
selecting condition, satisfies the transmission granting condition
assigned to the transmission selecting condition, and has a
reception granting condition assigned to the reception selecting
condition satisfied by the transmission user who set the
transmission selecting condition as the reception data item.
[0110] Note that, when transmitting data with a data item
specified, the transmitting operation above may be limited to
"specified data" in a part of "data owned by the transmission
user", with every transmission selecting condition satisfied by the
specified data item and set by the owned user of the specified data
item. Since the specified data item is included in "data owned by
the transmission user", the transmission operation is performed
nonetheless, even if the data item is specified.
[0111] (4) Transmission Condition Removing Operation
[0112] In the transmission condition removing operation, system 100
removes a transmission selecting condition specified by a specified
transmission user and a transmission granting condition assigned to
the transmission selecting condition from the storage, and removes
the data item of the transmission user that was treated as the
reception data item satisfying the reception selection condition
connectable to the transmission selecting condition from the
reception data.
[0113] (5) Data Adding Operation
[0114] In the data adding operation, system 100 not only adds the
specified data item to the storage as a data item owned by the
specified transmission (owner) user, and associates only data items
owned by the transmission user available for transmission/reception
in a state after the data item is added with each reception
selecting condition that is connectable to the transmission
selecting condition of the transmission user and determine the
associated data items as a reception data item. Note that, in the
operation for adding data items, a selection receiving operation is
performed for each reception selecting condition of the
transmission user, and only data items available for
transmission/reception by the transmission user as the reception
user in a state after the data item is added is determined as the
reception data item.
[0115] (6) Data Removing Operation
[0116] In the data removing operation, system 100 removes a
specified data item from the storage of the data item of the
specified transmission (owner) user, associates, with a reception
selecting condition connectable to each transmission selecting
condition of the transmission user, only data items owned by the
transmission user available for transmission/reception in a state
after the data item is removed, and determines the associated data
item as the reception data item. Note that, in the operation for
removing data items, a selection receiving operation is performed
for each reception selecting condition of the transmission user,
and only data items available for transmission/reception by the
transmission user as the reception user in a state after the data
item is removed is determined as the reception data item.
[0117] [Reception selecting condition, reception granting
condition] and [transmission selecting condition, transmission
granting condition] provided along with the selection receiving
operation and the selection transmitting operation are stored in
system 100, and used for future transmission/reception operations.
The selection receiving operation and the selection transmitting
operation are a reception selecting condition adding operation and
a transmission selecting condition adding operation in that sense,
respectively.
[0118] In the system, a user identifier is used for identifying
each user. In the operations described above, a user identifier for
identifying a transmission user is not output when outputting the
transmission user and the data item to the reception user, the user
identifier is converted into an alias, and the alias is used for
the output. Stated differently, a user identifier representing the
same user is converted into an alias distinguished from another
user. When a data item includes a user identifier, the user
identifier is also converted into an alias. When registering a data
item, an alias included in the data item is converted to a
corresponding user identifier if the alias is included in a data
item.
[0119] In the operations, when a data item including a reception
selecting condition and a transmission selecting condition other
than [reception user, reception selecting condition] and
[transmission user, transmission selecting condition] that are
already stored is input, system 100 stores the conditions. The
storing operation changes transmission/reception available in
system 100.
[0120] With regard to [reception user, reception selecting
condition] associated with a reception data item having a
possibility of a change before and after the change in the
available transmission/reception, system 100 associates only data
items available for transmission/reception in the new state with
the reception selecting condition and causes input/output apparatus
200 (reception user) to display the data item.
[0121] In addition, in the reception condition removing operation
and the transmission condition removing operation, system 100
removes [reception selecting condition, reception granting
condition] and [transmission selecting condition, transmission
granting condition] stored at the time of the prior selection
receiving operation and the prior selection transmitting operation.
System 100 cancels transmission/reception performed via the
conditions, together with the removing process, and associates,
only the data available for transmission/reception with the
reception selecting condition when the conditions are not set, and
causes input/output apparatus 200 (reception user) to display the
data item.
[0122] The change in the state of system 100 along with the
addition and removal of the data item affects
transmission/reception available in system 100 not only as the
change in the data to be transmitted/received, but also as the
change as to whether the reception granting condition and the
transmission granting condition are satisfied. The influence may
affect all of the transmission selecting conditions and all of the
reception selecting conditions of the owner user of the added or
removed data item, and further affect the reception granting
condition of the reception selecting condition connectable to the
transmission selecting condition, and the transmission granting
condition of the transmission selecting condition connectable to
the reception selecting condition. In view of these points, the
data adding operation and the data removing operation are for
associating only data items available for transmission/reception in
a new state in a transmission selecting condition and a reception
selecting condition of the owned data items of the data after the
addition and removal of data item with the reception selecting
condition, and displaying only the associated data item on
input/output apparatus 200 (reception user).
[0123] Input/output apparatus 200 outputs a command for instructing
each operation and information items necessary for each operation
to system 100, and displays [reception user, reception selecting
condition, transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
data] output from system 100 for each [reception user, reception
selecting condition] as the result of processing.
[0124] Input/output apparatus 200 stops displaying reception data
[reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission user,
transmission selecting condition, data] having the reception user
and the reception selecting condition matching [reception user,
reception selecting condition] output from system 100 with an
instruction for removing a data item.
[0125] The following is a list of operations instructed by
input/output apparatus 200 and information items necessary for
processes associated with the operations. Selection receiving
operation: [reception user, reception selecting condition,
reception granting condition, input/output apparatus 200]
[0126] Reception condition removing operation: [reception user,
reception selecting condition, input/output apparatus 200]
Selection transmitting operation: [transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, transmission granting condition] Transmission
condition removing operation: [transmission user, transmission
selecting condition] Data adding operation: [owner user, data] Data
removing operation: [owner user, data]
[0127] Functions of sections in system 100 will be described. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, system 100 includes input/output control
section 101, input/output storage section 102, conversion storage
section 103, data exchange section 104, reception condition storage
section 105, transmission condition storage section 106, reception
data storage section 107, and owned data storage section 108 as
main components. In system 100, the functions of operations and
identifier conversion are implemented by selectively using the
functions provided by the following sections.
[0128] Through the operations, system 100 associates all of data
items available for transmission/reception with all of (reception
user, reception selecting condition) set to generate reception data
items, and causes input/output apparatus 200 (reception user) to
display the reception data items. Stated differently, system 100
according to Embodiment performs all of the available
transmission/reception in real time and presents the results to the
reception user. System 100 performs processing necessary for
corresponding operations in data exchange section 104 and
input/output control section 101 using the functions provided to
the storage sections.
[0129] [Input/Output Control Section 101]
[0130] Input/output control section 101 acts as an interface with
input/output apparatus 200, processes a command transmitted from
input/output apparatus 200, and outputs the processing result to
input/output apparatus 200.
[0131] Input/output control section 101 determines a type of the
command, upon an input of a command and an information record from
input/output apparatus 200, and performs a selection receiving
command process, a reception condition removing command process, a
selection transmitting command process, a transmission condition
removing command process, a data adding command process, or a data
removing command process, according to the determination.
[0132] Input/output control section 101 performs each of the
processing by executing functions provided in conversion storage
section 103, input/output storage section 102, and instructing data
exchange section 104 to perform a process in an operation
corresponding to each command. Note that, details of process flow
performed by input/output control section 101 will be described
later.
[0133] [Input/Output Storage Section 102]
[0134] Input/output storage section 102 stores an information
record [reception user, reception selecting condition, input/output
apparatus 200] including a correspondence between input/output
apparatus 200 and [reception user, reception selecting condition]
indicating a classification of the data to be displayed.
Input/output storage section 102 includes the following functions
concerning the information records.
[0135] (1) Reception Display Adding Function
[0136] Input/output storage section 102 is capable of adding the
input [reception user, reception selecting condition, input/output
apparatus 200] to the storage.
[0137] (2) Reception Display Removing Function
[0138] Input/output storage section 102 is capable of removing an
information record matching the input [reception user, reception
selecting condition, input/output apparatus 200] from the
storage.
[0139] (3) Reception Input/Output Apparatus Searching Function
Input/output storage section 102 is capable of outputting
[reception user, reception selecting condition, input/output
apparatus] having [reception user, reception selecting condition]
matching [reception user, reception selecting condition] input.
[0140] [Conversion Storage Section 103]
[0141] Conversion storage section 103 stores an information record
[reception user, transmission user, alias] including correspondence
between a transmission user (identifier) and an alias for each user
in order to convert the user (identifier) into an alias. Conversion
storage section 103 includes the following functions concerning the
information records.
[0142] (1) Alias Searching Function
[0143] Conversion storage section 103 is capable of outputting
[reception user, transmission user, alias] having [reception user,
transmission user] matching [reception user, transmission user]
input.
[0144] (2) Transmission User Searching Function
[0145] Conversion storage section 103 is capable of outputting
[reception user, transmission user, alias] having [reception user,
alias] matching [reception user, alias] input.
[0146] [Data Exchange Section 104]
[0147] Data exchange section 104 receives an instruction from
input/output control section 101, and performs one of a selection
receiving process, a reception condition removing process, a
selection transmitting process, a transmission condition removing
process, a data adding process, and a data removing process.
[0148] Data exchange section 104 performs processes by executing
functions provided for reception condition storage section 105,
transmission condition storage section 106, reception data storage
section 107, and owned data storage section 108. Note that, details
of the process flow performed by data exchange section 104 will be
described later.
[0149] [Reception Condition Storage Section 105]
[0150] Reception condition storage section 105 stores an
information record [reception user, reception selecting condition,
reception granting condition] associating a set of reception user
and a reception selecting condition and a reception granting
condition assigned thereto. Reception condition storage section 105
includes functions related to a stored information record.
[0151] (1) Reception Condition Removing Function
[0152] Reception condition storage section 105 is capable of
removing, from the storage, [reception user, reception selecting
condition, reception granting condition] having [reception user,
reception selecting condition] matching [reception user, reception
selecting condition] input.
[0153] (2) Reception Condition Adding Function
[0154] Reception condition storage section 105 is capable of
adding, to the storage, [reception user, reception selecting
condition, reception granting condition] that is provided.
[0155] (3) Reception Selecting Condition Searching Function
[0156] Reception condition storage section 105 is capable of
listing all of [reception user, reception selecting condition,
reception granting condition] having a reception selecting
condition connectable to a transmission selecting condition
input.
[0157] (4) Reception Condition User Searching Function
[0158] Reception condition storage section 105 is capable of
listing all of [reception user, reception selecting condition,
reception granting condition] having a reception user matching the
reception user input.
[0159] [Transmission Condition Storage Section 106]
[0160] Transmission condition storage section 106 stores an
information record associating a set of transmission user and a
transmission selecting condition, and a transmission granting
condition attached thereto [transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, transmission granting condition]. Transmission
condition storage section 106 includes functions related to a
stored information record.
[0161] (1) Transmission Condition Removing Function
[0162] Transmission condition storage section 106 is capable of
removing, from the storage, [transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, transmission granting condition] having
[transmission user, transmission selecting condition] matching
[transmission user, transmission selecting condition] input.
[0163] (2) Transmission Condition Adding Function
[0164] Transmission condition storage section 106 is capable of
adding, to the storage, [transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, transmission granting condition] input.
[0165] (3) Transmission Selecting Condition Searching Function
[0166] Transmission condition storage section 106 is capable of
listing all of [transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, transmission granting condition] having a transmission
selecting condition connectable to the input reception selecting
condition.
[0167] (4) Transmission Condition User Searching Function
[0168] Transmission condition storage section 106 is capable of
listing all of [transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, transmission granting condition] having a transmission
user matching the transmission user input.
[0169] [Reception Data Storage Section 107]
[0170] Reception data storage section 107 stores an information
record [reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission
user, transmission selecting condition, data] in which a set of a
transmission user, a transmission selecting condition, and a data
item are associated with a set of a reception user who set a
reception selecting condition connectable to the transmission
selecting condition and the reception selecting condition.
Reception data storage section 107 includes the following functions
related to a stored information record.
[0171] (1) Reception Data Adding Function
[0172] Reception data storage section 107 is capable of adding
input [reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission
user, transmission selecting condition, data] to the storage.
[0173] (2) Reception Data Reception Selecting Condition Removing
Function
[0174] Reception data storage section 107 is capable of removing,
from the storage content, all of [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] having [reception user, reception selecting
condition] matching [reception user, reception selecting condition]
input.
[0175] (3) Reception Data Transmission Condition Specifying
Removing Function
[0176] Reception data storage section 107 is capable of removing,
from the storage content, all of [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] having [reception user, reception selecting
condition, transmission user, transmission selecting condition]
matching [reception user, reception selecting condition,
transmission user, transmission selecting condition] input.
[0177] (4) Reception Data Reception Selecting Condition Searching
Function
[0178] Reception data storage section 107 is capable of listing all
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission
user, transmission selecting condition, data] having [reception
user, reception selecting condition] matching [reception user,
reception selecting condition] input.
[0179] [Owned Data Storage Section 108]
[0180] Owned data storage section 108 stores an information record
[owner user, data] in which a data item is associated a user owning
the data item. Owned data storage section 108 includes the
following functions related to a stored information record. Note
that, the owner user may be a transmission user or a reception
user.
[0181] (1) Owned Data Adding Function
[0182] Owned data storage section 108 is capable of adding input
[owner user, data] to the storage content provided.
[0183] (2) Owned Data Removing Function
[0184] Owned data storage section 108 is capable of removing input
[owner user, data] from the storage content.
[0185] (3) Granting Condition Determining Function
[0186] Owned data storage section 108 is capable of determining
whether or not a reception granting condition and a transmission
granting condition are satisfied with regard to [transmission user,
data] and [reception user, data] stored in the input [reception
user, reception granting condition, transmission user, transmission
granting condition].
[0187] (4) Selection Condition Searching Function
[0188] Owned data storage section 108 is capable of listing all of
[transmission user, data] among [transmission user, data] stored,
including a data item satisfying both the reception selecting
condition and the transmission selecting condition, in [reception
selecting condition, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition] input.
[0189] Functions of storage sections other than the reception
selecting condition searching function, the transmission selecting
condition searching function, the granting condition determining
function, and the selection condition searching function may be
implemented by the following known technique. More specifically,
each function includes, when storing and searching information
records, specifying a concatenation key including a plurality of
keys for the content of each information record upon search, and
generating an index including entries associated with each
information record in the order of the concatenation key. With this
technique, the following operations regarding indexes are
effectively performed. Techniques disclosed in Japanese patent No.
3628030 and Japanese patent No. 3980326 are examples of known
techniques.
[0190] Operation 1
[0191] In this operation, an upper level (front) partial key of the
concatenation key is specified, and if there is an information
record matching the partial key, the first entry and/or the last
entry in the sorting order is determined, and if there is no
matching information record, a position on the index for inserting
the entry of the information record of the concatenation key
including a specified partial key is determined.
[0192] Operation 2
[0193] In this operation, an adjacent entry of the entry on the
index (in the sorting order) is determined.
[0194] Operation 3 In this operation, content of an information
record corresponding to the entry is read.
[0195] Operation 4
[0196] In this operation, an entry of an information record is
inserted at a position that does not contradict the sorting
order.
[0197] Operation 5 In this operation, an entry is removed.
[0198] Furthermore, Operation 1, Operation 2, and Operation 3 may
be combined to configure the next Operation 6.
[0199] Operation 6
[0200] In this operation, the upper level (front) partial key of
the concatenation key is specified, and if there is an information
record matching the partial key, the information record (the
specified part thereof) is listed in an ascending order or a
descending order of the index.
[0201] Operation 7
[0202] In this operation, from the information record to which an
index is assigned, an entry specifying the information record in
the index can be obtained. When removing an information record, an
entry in each index representing the information record is
determined using the operation, and the entries are removed by
Operation 5 described above. With these operations, maintenance and
management of the index are carried out.
[0203] Note that, in the following description, an entry in each
index representing an information record is removed when an indexed
information record is removed.
[0204] Note that, as a result of Operation 6, 0 or more information
record listed or a pointer to an information record can be combined
into a list and the list may be outputted.
[0205] The lists including information records of the same type can
be concatenated into one list. In the following procedure, when
inputting/outputting a plurality of information records between
sections, the information records are treated as the list described
above.
[0206] Implementations of a reception selecting condition searching
function, a transmission selection condition searching function, a
granting condition determining function, and a selection condition
searching function depend on (i) conditions and (ii) content and
format of the data. Accordingly, the description shall be made
based on the following specific Examples.
[0207] Next, the order of process performed by data exchange
section 104 will be described with reference to flowcharts.
[0208] Note that, in the following description, when one
information record is specified and process related to the
information record is described, a sign is given to a value of each
information item in the information record, and the values are
represented by the signs in the subsequent steps. For example,
after a step for "inputting [reception user RU, reception selecting
condition RS, reception granting condition RG]", RU, RS, and RG
represent a reception user, a reception selecting condition, and a
reception granting condition input in the step, respectively,
unless RU, RS, RG are assigned again.
[0209] In addition, in the following description, an information
item (name) is represented by a sign representing a specific value
for representing a group of information records having the specific
value as a part of the information items. For example, [reception
user, reception selecting condition, reception granting condition]
in which the reception user matches RU and the reception selecting
condition matches RS is represented as [RU, RS, reception granting
condition].
[0210] [Description of Process Performed by Data Exchange Section
104]
[0211] Flow of each process performed by data exchange section 104
will be described.
[0212] (Flow of Selection Receiving Process)
[0213] FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts illustrating the selection
receiving process.
[0214] Data exchange section 104 first inputs [reception user RU,
reception selecting condition RS, and reception granting condition
RG] through input/output control section 101 (SA01).
[0215] Data exchange section 104 outputs [RU, RS] to reception
condition storage section 105, causes reception condition storage
section 105 to perform the reception condition removing function,
and removes [RU, RS, reception granting condition] from reception
condition storage section 105 (SA02).
[0216] Next, data exchange section 104 causes reception condition
storage section 105 to output [RU, RS, RG], and to perform the
reception condition adding function. Subsequently, data exchange
section 104 adds [RU, RS, RG] to reception condition storage
section 105 (SA03).
[0217] Data exchange section 104 also outputs [RU, RS] to reception
data storage section 107, causes reception data storage section 107
to perform reception data reception selecting condition removing
function, and removes all of [RU, RS, transmission user,
transmission selecting condition, data] from reception data storage
section 107 (SA04).
[0218] Subsequently, data exchange section 104 outputs RS to
transmission condition storage section 106, causes transmission
condition storage section 106 to perform the transmission selecting
condition searching function for all of [transmission user,
transmission selecting condition, transmission granting condition]
having a transmission selecting condition connectable to RS, and
generates list LSS including all of the retrieved items (SA05).
[0219] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LSS is empty (SA06). Subsequently, if the determination in SA06 is
no, data exchange section 104 removes one [transmission user SU,
transmission selecting condition SS, transmission granting
condition SG] out of LSS (SA07).
[0220] Next, data exchange section 104 outputs [RU, RG, SU, SG] to
owned data storage section 108, causes owned data storage section
108 to perform granting condition determining function, and
determines whether or not RU and SU satisfy SG and RG, respectively
(SA08).
[0221] If the determination in SA08 is no, the flow returns to
SA06, and data exchange section 104 determines whether or not LSS
is empty again. Hereafter, as long as the determination in SA06 is
no and the determination in SA08 is no, data exchange section 104
repeats the process from SA06 to SA08.
[0222] If the determination in SA08 is yes, data exchange section
104 causes owned data storage section 108 to output [RS, SU, SS],
to perform the selection condition searching function, to search
for all of [SU, data] having a data item satisfying both RS and SS
from owned data storage section 108. Data exchange section 104
generates list LSD including all of the retrieved items (SA09).
[0223] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LSD is empty (SA10). If the determination in SA10 is yes, the flow
returns to SA06, and data exchange section 104 determines whether
or not LSS is empty again. Hereafter, as long as the determination
in SA06 is no and the determination in SA10 is yes, data exchange
section 104 repeats the process from SA06 to SA10.
[0224] In contrast, if determination in SA10 is no, data exchange
section 104 removes one [transmission user SU, data D] out of LSD
(SA11).
[0225] Data exchange section 104 subsequently outputs [RU, RS, SU,
SS, D] to reception data storage section 107, causes reception data
storage section 107 to perform the reception data adding function,
and adds [RU, RS, SU, SS, D] to reception data storage section 107
(SA12). Subsequently, the process returns to SA10, and data
exchange section 104 determines whether or not LSD is empty again.
Hereafter, as long as the determination in SA10 is no, data
exchange section 104 repeats the process from SA10 to SA12.
[0226] If the determination in SA06 is yes, data exchange section
104 outputs [RU, RS] to reception data storage section 107, causes
reception data storage section 107 to perform the reception data
reception selecting condition searching function, and searches
reception data storage section 107 for all of [RU, RS, transmission
user, transmission selecting condition, data], and generates list
LRD including all of the retrieved items (SA13).
[0227] Finally, data exchange section 104 outputs LRD (SA14), and
ends the process.
[0228] (Flow of Reception Condition Removing Process)
[0229] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating flow of the reception
condition removing process.
[0230] Data exchange section 104 first inputs [reception user RU,
reception selecting condition RS, and reception granting condition
RG] through input/output control section 101 (SB01).
[0231] Data exchange section 104 outputs [RU, RS] to reception
condition storage section 105, causes reception condition storage
section 105 to perform the reception condition removing function,
and removes [RU, RS, reception granting condition] from reception
condition storage section 105 (SB02).
[0232] Data exchange section 104 also outputs [RU, RS] to reception
data storage section 107, causes reception data storage section 107
to perform reception data reception condition removing function,
and removes all of [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] from reception data storage section 107
(SB04), and ends the process.
[0233] (Flow of Selection Transmitting Process)
[0234] FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating the selection
transmitting process.
[0235] Data exchange section 104 first inputs [transmission user
SU, transmission selecting condition SS, transmission granting
condition SG] through input/output control section 101 (SC01).
[0236] Data exchange section 104 subsequently outputs [SU, SS] to
transmission condition storage section 106, causes transmission
condition storage section 106 to perform the transmission condition
removing function, and removes [SU, SS, transmission granting
condition] from transmission condition storage section 106
(SC02).
[0237] Data exchange section 104 subsequently outputs [SU, SS, SG]
to transmission condition storage section 106, causes transmission
condition storage section 106 to perform the transmission condition
adding function, and adds [SU, SS, SG] to transmission condition
storage section 106 (SC03).
[0238] Next, data exchange section 104 outputs, SS to reception
condition storage section 105, causes reception condition storage
section 105 to perform the reception selecting condition search
function, searches reception condition storage section 105 for all
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] having a reception selecting condition
connectable to SS, and generates list LRS including all the
retrieved items (SC04).
[0239] Next, data exchange section 104 copies the LRS, and outputs
the copied LRS (SC05).
[0240] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LRS is empty (SC06). Subsequently, if the determination in SC06 is
yes, date exchange section 104 ends the process.
[0241] If the determination in SC06 is no, data exchange section
104 removes one [reception user RU, reception selecting condition
RS, reception granting condition RG] out of LRS (SC07).
[0242] Next, data exchange section 104 outputs [RU, RS, SU, SS] to
reception data storage section 107, causes reception data storage
section 107 to perform the reception transmission condition
specifying removing function, and removes all of [RU, RS, SU, SS,
data] from reception data storage section 107 (SC08).
[0243] Next, data exchange section 104 outputs [RU, RG, SU, SG] to
owned data storage section 108, causes owned data storage section
108 to perform the granting condition determining function, and
determines whether or not RU and SU satisfy SG and RG, respectively
(SC09).
[0244] If the determination in SC09 is no, the process returns to
SC06, and data exchange section 104 repeats the process from SC06
to SC09.
[0245] If the determination in SC09 is yes, data exchange section
104 outputs [RS, SU, SS] to owned data storage section 108, causes
owned data storage section 108 to execute selection condition
searching function, searches owned data storage section 108 for all
of [SU, data] having data satisfying both RS and SS, and generates
list LSD including all of the retrieved items (SC10).
[0246] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LSD is empty (SC11). If determination in SC11 is no, data exchange
section 104 removes one [transmission user SU, data D] out of LSD
(SC12). Data exchange section 104 subsequently outputs [RU, RS, SU,
SS, D] to reception data storage section 107, causes reception data
storage section 107 to perform the reception data adding function,
and adds [RU, RS, SU, SS, D] to reception data storage section 107
(SC13). Subsequently, the process returns to SC11, and data
exchange section 104 determines whether or not LSD is empty again.
Subsequently, as long as the determination in SC11 is no, data
exchange section 104 repeats the process from SC11 to SC13.
[0247] In addition, if the determination in SC11 is yes, data
exchange section 104 outputs [RU, RS] to reception data storage
section 107, causes reception data storage section 107 to perform
the reception data reception selecting condition searching
function, searches reception data storage section 107 for all of
[RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
data], and generates list LRD including all of the retrieved items
(SC14).
[0248] Subsequently, data exchange section 104 outputs the LRD
(SC15). Subsequently, the process returns to SC06, and data
exchange section 104 determines whether or not LRS is empty again.
Subsequently, as long as the determination in SC06 is no, the
determination in SC09 is yes, and the determination in SC11 is yes,
data exchange section 104 repeats the process from SC06 to
SC15.
[0249] (Flow of Transmission Condition Removing Process)
[0250] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating flow of the transmission
condition removing process.
[0251] Data exchange section 104 first receives an input
[transmission user SU, transmission selecting condition SS] from
input/output control section 101 (SD01).
[0252] Data exchange section 104 subsequently causes transmission
condition storage section 106 to output [RU, RS], and to perform
the transmission condition removing function so as to remove [SU,
SS, transmission granting condition] from transmission condition
storage section 106 (SD02).
[0253] Next, data exchange section 104 outputs SS to reception
condition storage section 105, causes reception condition storage
section 105 to perform the reception selecting condition search
function, searches reception condition storage section 105 for all
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] having a reception selecting condition
connectable to SS, and generates list LRS including all the
retrieved items (SD04).
[0254] Next, data exchange section 104 copies the LRS, and outputs
the copied LRS (SD05).
[0255] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LRS is empty (SD06). If the determination on SD06 is yes, date
exchange section 104 ends the process.
[0256] If the determination in SD06 is no, data exchange section
104 removes one [reception user RU, reception selecting condition
RS, reception granting condition RG] out of LRS (SD07).
[0257] Next, data exchange section 104 causes reception data
storage section 107 to output [RU, RS, SU, SS] and to perform the
reception transmission condition specifying removing function, and
removes all of [RU, RS, SU, SS, data] from reception data storage
section 107 (SD08).
[0258] Data exchange section 104 outputs [RU, RS] to reception data
storage section 107, causes reception data storage section 107 to
perform the reception data reception selecting condition searching
function, searches reception data storage section 107 for all of
[RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
data], and generates list LRS including all of the retrieved items
(SD14).
[0259] Subsequently, data exchange section 104 outputs the LRD
(SD15). Subsequently, the process returns to SD06, and data
exchange section 104 determines whether or not the LRS is empty
again. Subsequently, as long as the determination in SD06 is no,
data exchange section 104 repeats the process from SD06 to
SD15.
[0260] (Flow of Data Adding Process)
[0261] FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrating the data adding
process.
[0262] Data exchange section 104 first receives an input [owner
user U, data D] from input/output control section 101 (SE01).
[0263] Data exchange section 104 outputs [U, D] to owned data
storage section 108, causes owned data storage section to perform
the owned data adding function, and adds [U, D] to owned data
storage section 108 (SE02).
[0264] Data exchange section 104 subsequently outputs U to
reception condition storage section 105, causes reception condition
storage section 105 to perform the reception condition user search
function, searches for all of [U, reception selecting condition,
reception granting condition], and generates list LRS including all
of the retrieved items (SE03).
[0265] Next, data exchange section 104 copies the LRS, and outputs
the copied LRS (SE04).
[0266] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LRS is empty (SE05). If the determination in SE05 is no, data
exchange section 104 removes one [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS, reception granting condition RG] out of LRS
(SE06).
[0267] Subsequently, data exchange section 104 performs the
selection receiving process using [RU, RS, RG], and obtains list
LRD of the output [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] (SE07).
[0268] Subsequently, data exchange section 104 outputs the LRD
(SE08). Subsequently, the process returns to SE05, and data
exchange section 104 determines whether or not the LRS is empty
again. Subsequently, as long as the determination in SE05 is no,
data exchange section 104 repeats the process from SE05 to
SE08.
[0269] If the determination in SE05 is yes, data exchange section
104 outputs U to transmission condition storage section 106, causes
transmission condition storage section 106 to perform the
transmission condition user search function, searches for all of
[U, transmission selecting condition, transmission granting
condition] and generates list LSS including all of the retrieved
items (SE09).
[0270] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LSS is empty (SE10). If the determination in SE10 is yes, date
exchange section 104 ends the process.
[0271] If the determination in SE10 is no, data exchange section
104 removes one [transmission user SU, transmission selecting
condition SS, transmission granting condition SG] out of LSS
(SE11).
[0272] Next, data exchange section 104 performs the selection
transmitting process using [SU, SS, SG], and obtains one list LRS
including [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] and 0 or more list LRD of [reception user,
reception selecting condition, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] (SE12).
[0273] Data exchange section 104 subsequently outputs one LRS
(SE13), and outputs a plurality of LRDs (SE14). Subsequently, the
process returns to SE10, and data exchange section 104 determines
whether or not the LSS is empty again. Data exchange section 104
repeats the process from SE10 to SE14 as long as the determination
in SE10 is no.
[0274] (Flow of Data Removing Process)
[0275] FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts illustrating the data
removing process.
[0276] Data exchange section 104 first receives an input [owner
user U, data D] from input/output control section 101 (SF01).
[0277] Next, data exchange section 104 outputs [U, D] to owned data
storage section 108, causes owned data storage section 108 to
perform the owned data removing function, and removes [U, D] from
owned data storage section 108 (SF02).
[0278] Data exchange section 104 subsequently outputs U to
reception condition storage section 105, causes reception condition
storage section 105 to perform the reception condition user search
function so as to search for all of [U, reception selecting
condition, reception granting condition], and generates list LRS
including all of the retrieved items (SF03).
[0279] Next, data exchange section 104 copies the LRS, and outputs
the copied LRS (SF04).
[0280] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LRS is empty (SF05). If the determination in SF05 is no, data
exchange section 104 removes one [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS, reception granting condition RG] out of LRS
(SF06).
[0281] Subsequently, data exchange section 104 performs the
selection receiving process using [RU, RS, RG], and obtains list
LRD of the output [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] (SF07).
[0282] Subsequently, data exchange section 104 outputs the LRD
(SF08). Subsequently, the process returns to SF05, and data
exchange section 104 determines whether or not the LRS is empty
again. Subsequently, as long as the determination in SF05 is no,
data exchange section 104 repeats the process from SF05 to
SF08.
[0283] If the determination in SF05 is yes, data exchange section
104 outputs U to transmission condition storage section 106, causes
transmission condition storage section 106 to perform the
transmission condition user search function, searches for all of
[U, transmission selecting condition, transmission granting
condition], and generates list LSS including all of the retrieved
items (SF09).
[0284] Next, data exchange section 104 determines whether or not
LSS is empty (SF10). If the determination on SF10 is yes, date
exchange section 104 ends the process.
[0285] If the determination in SF10 is no, data exchange section
104 removes one [transmission user SU, transmission selecting
condition SS, transmission granting condition SG] out of LSS
(SF11).
[0286] Next, data exchange section 104 performs the selection
transmitting process using [SU, SS, SG], and obtains one list LRS
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] and 0 or more list LRD of [reception user,
reception selecting condition, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] (SF12).
[0287] Data exchange section 104 subsequently outputs one LRS
(SF13), and outputs a plurality of LRDs (SF14). Subsequently, the
process returns to SF10, and data exchange section 104 determines
whether or not the LSS is empty again. Data exchange section 104
repeats the process from SF10 to SF14 as long as the determination
in SF10 is no.
[0288] [Description of Process Performed by Input/Output Control
Section 101]
[0289] The flow of processes performed by input/output control
section 101 will be described.
[0290] First, flow of three partial processes used in common with
the processes will be described.
[0291] (Flow of First Partial Process)
[0292] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the first partial
process. The first partial process is a process for "replacing an
alias included in input data D with a user identifier".
[0293] Input/output control section 101 first determines whether or
not an alias is included in D (SX01). If the determination in SX01
is no, input/output control section 101 ends the partial
process.
[0294] In contrast, if the determination in SX01 is yes,
input/output control section 101 selects one of the aliases and
determines the selected alias as IDA (SX02).
[0295] Next, input/output control section 101 outputs [reception
user U, IDA] to conversion storage section 103, causes conversion
storage section 103 to perform the transmission user search
function, and searches conversion storage section 103 for [U,
transmission user ID, IDA] (SX03).
[0296] Subsequently, input/output control section 101 replaces all
of IDA included in D with ID (SX04). Subsequently, the process
returns to SX01, and input/output control section 101 determines
whether or not D still includes an alias. Subsequently, as long as
the determination in SX01 is yes, input/output control section 101
repeats the process from SX01 to SX04.
[0297] (Flow of Second Partial Process)
[0298] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the second partial
process. The second partial process is a process for "stopping
display of each [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] displayed on input/output apparatus 200 for each
[reception user RU, reception selecting condition RS] in list LRS
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition]".
[0299] Input/output control section 101 first determines whether or
not LRS is empty (SY01). If the determination in SY01 is yes,
input/output control section 101 ends the partial process.
[0300] In contrast, if the determination in SY01 is no,
input/output control section 101 removes one [reception user RU,
reception selecting condition RS, reception granting condition RG]
out of LRS (SY02).
[0301] Next, input/output control section 101 outputs [RU, RS] to
input/output storage section 102, causes input/output storage
section 102 to perform the function for searching for reception
input/output apparatus 200, and searches input/output storage
section 102 for [RU, RS, input/output apparatus 10] (SY03).
[0302] Subsequently, input/output control section 101 causes
input/output apparatus 10 to stop the display of all of [RU, RS,
transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data] (SY04).
The process returns to SY01 afterward, and input/output control
section 101 determines whether or not LRS is empty again.
Subsequently, as long as the determination in SY01 is yes,
input/output control section 101 repeats the process from SY01 to
SY04.
[0303] (Flow of Third Partial Process)
[0304] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the third partial
process. The third partial process is a process "for displaying, on
input/output apparatus 200, each [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] in list LRD of [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data]".
[0305] Input/output control section 101 first determines whether or
not LRD is empty (SZ01). If the determination in SZ01 is yes,
input/output control section 101 ends the partial process.
[0306] In contrast, if the determination in SZ01 is no,
input/output control section 101 removes one of [reception user RU,
reception selecting condition RS, transmission user SU,
transmission selecting condition SS, data D] out of LRD (SZ02).
[0307] Next, input/output control section 101 outputs [RU, RS] to
input/output storage section 102, causes input/output storage
section 102 to perform the function for searching for reception
input/output apparatus 200, and searches input/output storage
section 102 for [RU, RS, input/output apparatus IO] (SZ03).
[0308] Input/output control section 101 outputs [RU, SU] to
conversion storage section 103, performs the alias searching
function, and searches conversion storage section 103 for [RU, SU,
alias SUA] (SZ04).
[0309] Input/output control section 101 replaces SU in [RU, RS, SU,
SS, D] with SUA to generate [RU, RS, SUA, SS, D] (SZ05).
[0310] Input/output control section 101 determines whether or not a
user identifier is included in D (SZ06). If the determination in
SZ06 is yes, input/output control section 101 selects one of the
user identifiers as an ID (SZ07).
[0311] Input/output control section 101 outputs [RU, ID] to
conversion storage section 103, causes conversion storage section
103 to perform the alias searching function, and searches
conversion storage section 103 for [RU, ID, alias IDA] (SZ08).
[0312] Subsequently, input/output control section 101 replaces all
of IDs included in D with IDA (SZ09). Subsequently, the process
returns to SZ06, and input/output control section 101 determines
whether or not D still includes a user identifier. Subsequently, as
long as the determination in SZ06 is yes, input/output control
section 101 repeats the process from SZ06 to SZ09.
[0313] In contrast, if the determination in SZ06 is no,
input/output control section 101 causes input/output apparatus 200
to display [RU, RS, SUA, SS, D] for each [RU, RS] (SZ10). The
process returns to SZ01 afterward, and input/output control section
101 determines whether or not LRD is empty again. Subsequently, as
long as the determination in SZ01 is no, and the determination in
SZ06 is no, input/output control section 101 repeats the process
from SZ01 to SZ10.
[0314] Next, flow of each command process performed by input/output
control section 101 including the partial processes will be
described. However, reception condition removing command process
does not include the partial process.
[0315] (Flow of Selection Receiving Command Process)
[0316] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the selection receiving
command process.
[0317] Input/output control section 101 first receives an input,
from input/output apparatus IO, [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS, reception granting condition RG,
input/output apparatus IO] (SG01).
[0318] Input/output control section 101 outputs [RU, RS, RG] to
data exchange section 104, causes data exchange section 104 to
perform selection receiving process, and obtains list LRD of [RU,
RS, transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data]
(SG02).
[0319] Subsequently, input/output control section 101 causes
input/output apparatus IO to stop the display of all of [RU, RS,
transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data]
(SG03).
[0320] Input/output control section 101 outputs [RU, RS, IO] to
input/output storage section 102, causes input/output storage
section 102 to perform the reception display adding function, and
adds [RU, RS, IO] to input/output storage section 102 (SG04).
[0321] Input/output control section 101 performs the third partial
process on LRD obtained in SG02, causes input/output apparatus 10
to display [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] included in LRD (SG05), and ends the process.
[0322] (Flow of Reception Condition Removing Command Process)
[0323] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating flow of the reception
condition removing command process.
[0324] Input/output control section 101 first receives an input,
from input/output apparatus IO, [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS, input/output apparatus IO] (SH01).
[0325] Input/output control section 101 outputs [RU, RS] to data
exchange section 104 and causes data exchange section 104 to
perform reception condition removing process (SH02).
[0326] Subsequently, input/output control section 101 causes
input/output apparatus IO to stop the display of all of [RU, RS,
transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data]
(SH03).
[0327] Input/output control section 101 then outputs [RU, RS, IO]
to input/output storage section 102, causes input/output storage
section 102 to perform the reception display removing function, so
as to remove [RU, RS, IO] from input/output storage section 102
(SH04), and ends the process.
[0328] (Flow of Selection Transmitting Command Process)
[0329] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the selection
transmitting command process.
[0330] Input/output control section 101 first receives an input
[transmission user SU, transmission selecting condition SS,
transmission granting condition SG] from input/output apparatus 200
(SI01).
[0331] Input/output control section 101 outputs [SU, SS, SG] to
data exchange section 104 so as to cause data exchange section 104
to perform the selection transmitting process, and obtains one list
LRS of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition], and 0 or more list LRD of [reception user,
reception selecting condition, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] (SI02).
[0332] Input/output control section 101 then performs the second
partial process on LRS obtained in SI02, and stops display of each
[RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data]
displayed on input/output apparatus 200, regarding each [reception
user RU, reception selecting condition RS] in LRS (SI03).
[0333] Next, input/output control section 101 generates one LRD by
concatenating a plurality of LRDs obtained in SI02 (SI04).
[0334] Input/output control section 101 then performs the third
partial process on the LRD, and causes input/output apparatus 200
suitable for the display of each [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS, transmission user SUA, transmission
selecting condition SS, data D], included in LRD (SI05), and ends
the process.
[0335] (Flow of Transmission Condition Removing Command
Process)
[0336] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating flow of the transmission
condition removing command process.
[0337] Input/output control section 101 first receives an input of
[transmission user SU, transmission selecting condition SS] from
input/output apparatus 200 (SJ01).
[0338] Input/output control section 101 then outputs [SU, SS] to
data exchange section 104, causes data exchange section 104 to
perform selection transmitting process, and obtains one list LRD of
[reception user, reception selecting condition, reception granting
condition] and 0 or more list LRD of [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] (SJ02).
[0339] Input/output control section 101 then performs the second
partial process on LRS obtained in SJ02, and stops display of each
[RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data]
displayed on input/output apparatus 200 for each [reception user
RU, reception selecting condition RS] in LRS (SJ03).
[0340] Next, input/output control section 101 generates one LRD by
concatenating a plurality of LRDs obtained in SJ02 (SJ04).
[0341] Input/output control section 101 then performs the third
partial process on the LRD, and causes input/output apparatus 200
suitable for the display of each [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS, transmission user SUA, transmission
selecting condition SS, data D] included in LRD to display the
items (SJ05), and ends the process.
[0342] (Flow of Data Adding Command Process)
[0343] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the data adding command
process.
[0344] Input/output control section 101 first receives an input of
[owner user U, data D] from input/output apparatus 200 (SK01).
[0345] Next, input/output control section 101 performs the first
partial process on D received in SK01, and replaces an alias
included in D with a user identifier (SK02).
[0346] Input/output control section 101 subsequently outputs [U, D]
to data exchange section 104 and causes data exchange section 104
to perform the data adding process, and obtains one or more list
LRS of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] and 0 or more list LRD of [reception user,
reception selecting condition, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] (SK03).
[0347] Input/output control section 101 concatenates a plurality of
LRS obtained in SK03 to generate one LRS (SK04).
[0348] Input/output control section 101 performs the second partial
process on the LRS, and stops display of [RU, RS, transmission
user, transmission selecting condition, data] displayed on
input/output apparatus 200 for each [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS] in LRS (SK05).
[0349] Input/output control section 101 concatenates a plurality of
LRD obtained in SK03 to generate one LRD (SK06).
[0350] Next, input/output control section 101 performs the third
partial process on the LRD, causes input/output apparatus 200
suitable for the display of [reception user, reception selecting
condition, transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
data] included in LRD to display the items (SK07), and ends the
process.
[0351] (Flow of Data Removing Command Process)
[0352] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the data removing
command process.
[0353] Input/output control section 101 first receives an input of
[owner user U, data D] from input/output apparatus 200 (SL01).
[0354] Next, input/output control section 101 performs the first
partial process on D received in SL01, and replaces an alias
included in D with a user identifier (SL02).
[0355] Input/output control section 101 subsequently outputs [U, D]
to data exchange section 104 and causes data exchange section 104
to perform the data removing process, and obtains one or more list
LRS of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] and 0 or more list LRD of [reception user,
reception selecting condition, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] (SL03).
[0356] Input/output control section 101 concatenates a plurality of
LRS obtained in SL03 to generate one LRS (SL04).
[0357] Input/output control section 101 performs the second partial
process on the LRS, and causes input/output apparatus 200 to stop
displaying each [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] displayed on input/output apparatus 200 for each
[reception user RU, reception selecting condition RS] in LRS
(SL05).
[0358] Input/output control section 101 concatenates a plurality of
LRD obtained in SL03 to generate one LRD (SL06).
[0359] Next, input/output control section 101 performs the third
partial process on the LRD, causes input/output apparatus 200
suitable for the display of each [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS, transmission user SUA, transmission
selecting condition SS, data D] included in LRD (SL07), and ends
the process.
[0360] [Description on Operations Provided by System 100]
[0361] Operations provided by system 100 will be described in
detail.
[0362] The operations provided by system 100 are performed through
an input of corresponding command to input/output control section
101 via input/output apparatus 200.
[0363] (Selection Receiving Process)
[0364] The selection receiving command is received by input/output
control section 101 in system 100 along with [reception user RU,
reception selecting condition RS, reception granting condition RG,
input/output apparatus IO].
[0365] Upon receiving the selection receiving command, input/output
control section 101 performs the selection receiving command
process.
[0366] Input/output control section 101 first outputs [RU, RS, RG]
to data exchange section 104 in SG02 and performs the selection
receiving process.
[0367] Data exchange section 104 performs the selection receiving
process. With this, data exchange section 104 selects a
transmission user who sets a transmission selecting condition
connectable to specified reception selecting condition RS and who
satisfies the reception granting condition RG assigned to the
reception selecting condition RS and having a transmission granting
condition assigned to the transmission selecting condition
satisfied by the reception user RU who set the reception selecting
condition RS. Data exchange section 104 associates a data item
owned by the user and satisfying both the transmission selecting
condition and the reception selecting condition RS with [RU, RS]
and determines the data item as the reception data [RU, RS,
transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data], and
outputs the reception data as list LRD. The process is as described
in the flow of the selection receiving process.
[0368] Next, in SG03, input/output control section 101 stops
display of [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] having the same reception user RU and reception
selecting condition RS displayed on input/output apparatus 200 by
the previous transmission and reception.
[0369] Next, in SG04, input/output control section 101 stores
information on input/output apparatus 200 for displaying each
information record in LRD in input/output storage section 102 as
[RU, RS, IO].
[0370] This action is for searching for and determining
input/output apparatus 200 suitable for instruction when displaying
or stopping display of the reception data associated with [RU, RS]
necessary for processing another command.
[0371] Next, input/output control section 101 performs the third
partial process in SG05. More specifically, input/output control
section 101 receives output LRD of data exchange section 104 in
SG02, replaces a user identifier included in the transmission user
and the data of [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] included in LRD with an alias, causes input/output
apparatus IO to display each reception data item, and ends the
process.
[0372] With the execution process, system 100 can achieve the
operation of the selection receiving operation, and can display
data with which transmission/reception is performed in a form that
does not specify the transmission user and a user referred in the
data item.
[0373] (Reception Condition Removing Process)
[0374] The selection condition removing command is received by
input/output control section 101 in system 100 along with
[reception user RU, reception selecting condition RS, input/output
apparatus IO].
[0375] Upon receiving the reception condition removing command,
input/output control section 101 performs the receiving condition
removing command process.
[0376] Input/output control section 101 first receives an input of
[RU, RS] for the receiving condition removing process of data
exchange section 104 in SH02, and performs the process.
[0377] Data exchange section 104 performs the reception condition
removing process. With this, data exchange section 104 removes
reception selecting condition RS in which reception user RU is
specified and a reception granting condition assigned to reception
selecting condition RS from the storage, and removes reception data
[RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data]
associated with [RU, RS]. This process is as described in the
process flow in the reception condition removing process.
[0378] Next, in SH03, input/output control section 101 stops
display of [RU, RS, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] having the same reception user RU and reception
selecting condition RS displayed on input/output apparatus 200 by
the previous transmission and reception.
[0379] Input/output control section 101 removes [RU, RS, IO]
including registration of input/output apparatus 200 suitable for
displaying reception data item associated with [RU, RS] registered
in SH04, and ends the process.
[0380] With the process described above, system 100 achieves
reception condition removing operation (process thereof), and stops
display of the received data item associated with [reception user
RU, reception selecting condition RS] by the previous
transmission/reception.
[0381] (Selection Transmitting Process)
[0382] Selection transmitting command is provided to input/output
control section 101 in system 100 along with [transmission user SU,
transmission selecting condition SS, transmission granting
condition SG].
[0383] Upon receiving the selection transmitting command,
input/output control section 101 performs the selection
transmitting command process.
[0384] Input/output control section 101 first outputs [SU, SS, SG]
to data exchange section 104 in SI02 and performs the selection
transmitting process.
[0385] Data exchange section 104 performs the selection
transmitting process. With this, data exchange section 104 selects
a reception user who sets a reception selecting condition
connectable to specified transmission selecting condition SS,
satisfies transmission granting condition SG assigned to
transmission selecting condition SS, and transmission user SU who
sets the transmission selecting condition SS satisfies the
reception granting condition assigned to the reception selecting
condition. Subsequently, data exchange section 104 determines a
data item owned by the transmission user SU and satisfying both the
transmission selecting condition SS and the reception selecting
condition as a reception data item associated with the reception
selecting condition. This process is as described in the process
flow in the selection transmission process.
[0386] In this process, data exchange section 104 outputs list LRS
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] including reception data item that requires
change in the display, and list LRD of [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] the reception data items that requires change in
display of reception data.
[0387] Next, input/output control section 101 performs second
partial process in SI03. More specifically, upon output LRS of data
exchange section 104 in SI02, input/output control section 101
stops display of the received data associated with [reception user,
reception selecting condition] that may have associated with
reception data changed.
[0388] Input/output control section 101 then concatenates LRD
provided from data exchange section 104 into one LRD, and performs
the third partial process in SI05. More specifically, input/output
control section 101 causes input/output apparatus 200 to display
each reception data items included in LRD [reception user,
reception selecting condition, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data] after replacing the transmission user
and a user identifier included in the data with aliases, and ends
the process.
[0389] With the execution process, system 100 can achieve the
operation of the selection transmitting operation, and can display
data with which transmission/reception is performed in a form that
does not specify the transmission user and the user referred in the
data item.
[0390] (Transmission Condition Removing Process)
[0391] Transmission condition removing command is input to
input/output control section 101 in system 100 along with
[transmission user SU, transmission selecting condition SS].
[0392] Upon receiving the transmission condition removing command,
input/output control section 101 performs the transmission
condition removing command process.
[0393] In SJ02, input/output control section 101 first outputs [SU,
SS] to data exchange section 104, and causes data exchange section
104 to perform the transmission condition removing process.
[0394] Data exchange section 104 performs the transmission
condition removing process. With this, data exchange section 104
removes specified transmission selecting condition SS of specified
transmission user SU and transmission granting condition SG
assigned to transmission selecting condition SS from the storage,
and removes [reception user, reception selecting condition, SU, SS,
data] associated with each reception selecting condition
connectable to the transmission selecting condition SS and
determined as the reception data item from the reception data
items. This process is as described in the process flow in the
transmission condition removing process.
[0395] In this process, data exchange section 104 outputs list LRS
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] that requires change in display of reception
data, and list LRD of [reception user, reception selecting
condition, transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
data] of the reception data that should be displayed after the
change.
[0396] Next, input/output control section 101 performs the second
partial process in SJ03. More specifically, upon output of LRS from
data exchange section 104 in SJ02, input/output control section 101
stops display of the reception data items associated with
[reception user, reception selecting condition] having possibility
that an associated reception data item is changed.
[0397] Input/output control section 101 then concatenates LRD
provided from data exchange section 104 into one LRD, and performs
the third partial process in SJ05. More specifically, input/output
control section 101 causes input/output apparatus 200 to display
each received data [reception user RU, reception selecting
condition RS, transmission user SUA, transmission selecting
condition SS, data D] included in LRD after replacing a user
identifier included in the transmission data and the data with an
alias, and ends the process.
[0398] With the execution process, system 100 can achieve the
operation of the transmission condition removing operation, and can
display data with which transmission/reception is performed in a
form that does not specify the transmission user and a user
referred in the data item.
[0399] (Data Adding Process)
[0400] A data adding command is input to input/output control
section 101 of system 100 along with [owner user U, data D].
[0401] Upon the input of the data adding command, input/output
control section 101 performs the data adding command process.
[0402] Input/output control section 101 first performs the first
partial process in SK02, and replaces each alias included in D with
a user identifier.
[0403] Input/output control section 101 then outputs [U, D] to data
exchange section 104 and causes data exchange section 104 to
perform the data adding process.
[0404] Data exchange section 104 performs the data adding process.
More specifically, data exchange section 104 adds specified data D
to the storage as the data of a specified transmission (owner) user
U, associates only data items of the transmission user U available
for transmission/reception in a state after the data D is added
with a reception selecting condition connectable to each
transmission selecting condition of the transmission user U and
determines the data item as the reception data item. Subsequently,
data exchange section 104 performs the selection receiving
operation again for each reception selecting condition of the
transmission user U, and determines only data items available for
transmission/reception after the data is added as the reception
data items. This process is as described in the process flow in the
data adding process.
[0405] In this process, data exchange section 104 outputs list LRS
including [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] that requires change in display of reception
data, and list LRD including [reception user, reception selecting
condition, transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
data] including reception data to be displayed after the
change.
[0406] In SK04, input/output control section 101 then concatenates
LRS provided from data exchange section 104 into one LRS, and in
SK05, performs the second partial process. More specifically,
input/output control section 101 stops display of reception data
items associated with [reception user, reception selecting
condition] having possibility that an associated reception data
item is changed.
[0407] Input/output control section 101 then concatenates LRD
provided from data exchange section 104 into one LRD, and performs
the third partial process in SK07. More specifically, input/output
control section 101 causes input/output apparatus 200 to display
each reception data [reception user RU, reception selecting
condition RS, transmission user SUA, transmission selecting
condition SS, data D] included in LRD after replacing the
transmission user and a user identifier included in the data with
aliases, and ends the process.
[0408] With the execution process, system 100 can achieve the
operation of the data adding operation, and can display a data item
with which transmission/reception is performed in a form that does
not specify the transmission user and a user referred in the data
item.
[0409] (Flow of Data Removing Process)
[0410] A data removing command is input to input/output control
section 101 of system 100 along with [owner user U, data D].
[0411] Upon receiving the data removing command, input/output
control section 101 performs the data removing command process.
[0412] Input/output control section 101 first performs "a partial
process for replacing an alias included in input data D with a user
identifier" so as to replace each alias included in D with a user
identifier.
[0413] Input/output control section 101 then outputs [U, D] to data
exchange section 104 and causes data exchange section 104 to
perform the data removing process in SL02.
[0414] Data exchange section 104 performs the data removing
process. More specifically, data exchange section 104 removes
specified data D from the storage of transmission (owner) user U,
and associates only the data items owned by the transmission user U
available for transmission/reception in a state after the data D is
removed with a reception selecting condition connectable to each
transmission selecting condition of the transmission user U to
determine the reception data item. Subsequently, data exchange
section 104 performs the selective reception operation again for
each reception selecting condition of the transmission user U, and
determines only data items available for transmission/reception
after the data item is removed as the reception data items. This
process is as described in the process flow in the data removing
process.
[0415] In this process, data exchange section 104 outputs list LRS
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] that requires change in the display of
reception data, and list LRD of [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, data] of the reception data item that should be
displayed after the change.
[0416] Input/output control section 101 then concatenates LRS
provided from data exchange section 104 into one LRS, and performs
the second partial process in SL05. More specifically, input/output
control section 101 stops display of reception data items
associated with [reception user, reception selecting condition]
having possibility that an associated reception data item is
changed.
[0417] Input/output control section 101 then concatenates LRD
provided from data exchange section 104 into one LRD in SL06, and
performs the third partial process in SL07. More specifically,
input/output control section 101 causes input/output apparatus 200
to display each reception data [reception user RU, reception
selecting condition RS, transmission user SUA, transmission
selecting condition SS, data D] included in LRD after replacing the
transmission user and a user identifier included in the data with
aliases, and ends the process.
[0418] With the execution process, system 100 can achieve the
operation of the data removing operation, and can display data with
which transmission/reception is performed in a form that does not
specify the transmission user and a user referred in the data
item.
[0419] As described above, system 100 in the embodiment stores a
reception selecting condition, a transmission selecting condition,
a reception granting condition, a transmission granting condition,
and owned data item associated with each user, and always performs
available transmission/reception determined by the conditions and
the owned data. Subsequently, system 100 in Embodiment stores
transmitted/received (transmission user, data) in association with
(reception user, reception selecting condition), and displays the
data items in a form that does not specify the user.
[0420] However, the present invention is not limited to a form
which allows execution of all of available transmission/reception
in real time.
[0421] The present invention may be implemented such that
transmission/reception is performed only when a pull-type search is
performed, as in the conventional web search. More specifically,
the present invention does not perform transmission/reception when
adding and removing the transmission selecting condition,
transmission granting condition, and the owned data, but can
perform transmission/reception only when the reception user
specifies the reception selecting condition and the reception
granting condition and performs the selection receiving
operation.
[0422] In this case, only selection receiving operation specifying
reception selecting condition and the reception granting condition
is performed, instead of transmitting/receiving data in real time
by performing the selection transmitting operation and the
selection receiving operation each time the storage content is
changed. Accordingly, it is not necessary to store the reception
selecting condition and the reception granting condition.
[0423] In addition, since the newest state is not reflected on the
reception data in real time, once the reception data is displayed
on input/output apparatus 200, it is not necessary to hold the
reception data (performed transmission/reception) in system
100.
[0424] In contrast, according to the present invention, the
transmission/reception is performed so as to update the reception
data item only when the transmission user specifies the
transmission selecting condition and the transmission granting
condition and performs an operation for the selection transmitting
operation, without the reception user performing
transmission/reception of data items when registering the reception
selecting condition and the reception granting condition, as in
e-mail.
[0425] In this case, the registration on the reception selecting
condition corresponds to the setting of the reception address and
the reception port, and the registration of the transmission
selecting condition corresponds to transmission to the address and
the port.
[0426] Subsequently, the reception user specifies the reception
selecting condition, and in the same manner as opening an inbox,
views the reception data items stored in association with
[reception user, reception selecting condition] at that time.
[0427] As described above, each of the processes in the operations
described in Embodiment is included in Embodiments of the present
invention. Subsequently, it is not necessary for the system
according to the present invention to include all of the
operations.
[0428] However, as in the description above, if the system includes
all of the operations, an important supplemental effect that all of
the available transmission/reception is performed in real time in
synchronization with changes in the set condition and the
registered data.
[0429] However, the aim of the present invention is to select a
pair of [reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] and [transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, transmission granting condition] having a reception
selecting condition and a transmission selecting condition that are
connectable and having a reception granting condition and a
transmission granting condition satisfied by the owned data of the
reception user and the transmission user who set the reception
selecting condition and the transmission selecting condition, to
select at least one [transmission user, data] including a data item
satisfying both [reception selecting condition, transmission
selecting condition] from the data items owned by the transmission
user, and associates the selected item with [reception data,
reception selecting condition] and determines the data item as the
reception data item.
[0430] In view of the purpose, the description regarding system 100
including all of the operations described above (Example 1) and
system 100 using selective or modified operations of the operations
described above (Example 2) will be described.
[0431] The idea that a reception selecting condition and a
transmission selecting condition are "connectable", that is, a
procedure for selecting the pair will be described according to
specific data and conditions.
[0432] Similarly, evaluations of a reception granting condition and
a transmission granting condition, and a search for data satisfying
both the reception selecting condition and the transmission
selecting condition will be described. The evaluation and the
search may be performed by a conventional data search
technology.
Example 1
[0433] In the following description, a message exchange system
aiming for exchanging informal information such as evaluations,
impressions, experiences and others regarding restaurants will be
described as Example 1 implementing Embodiment described above.
[0434] The message exchange system (hereafter referred to as
"system") is used as means for exchanging informal information
between users regarding taste and appearance of food on a menu and
service at a shop.
[0435] The information written by each user on the following topics
for each shop is held by the user who wrote the information. [0436]
Shop [0437] Service [0438] Appearance of menu item (each menu item)
[0439] Taste of menu item (each menu item)
[0440] The user enters evaluation points and comments on each
topic. Entry time, shop (name), topic (any of the items above),
author (user), and a message number are assigned to the information
to generate a message. The message corresponds to a data item
stored in a data storage section in Embodiment.
[0441] Messages entered and/or held by the user are data sequence
each including time, shop, topic, author, message number, points,
and comments.
[0442] In Example, "user" in the item is user identification
information, and is a mobile phone number in the system.
[0443] However, when displaying the user, the user is displayed in
an alias composed of 4-digit integers in order to prevent the user
from being specified.
[0444] Note that, each message can be uniquely identified by a
message ID consisting of the user and the message number.
[0445] FIG. 24 represents an example of a message. Note that, in
the comments, another user (or message) is referred by an alias
different from the other users, instead of the user identification
information. The alias is consistent at least in the range of the
following message board. Stated differently, the same alias is used
for the same user.
[0446] With regard to each item in the message, the reception
selecting condition and the transmission selecting condition are
conditions for selecting a message by specifying a range for time,
only one name for shops, and one or more topics.
[0447] The reception selecting condition and the transmission
selecting condition are represented by a data sequence illustrated
in FIG. 25, in the same manner as a message. The condition
represented by the data sequence is "Message regarding appearance
or taste of ramen at Chinese Restaurant, Shinjuku west exit branch
after 2012/01/01 00:00:00 up until now".
[0448] In the system, the reception selecting condition and the
transmission selecting condition are "connectable" when the
conditions are determined such that a message satisfying the
transmission selecting condition always satisfies the reception
selecting condition. More specifically, the reception selecting
condition and the transmission selecting condition are treated as
"connectable" when the name of shop matches, a range of time in the
transmission selecting condition is included in a range of the
reception selecting condition, and all of the topics in the
transmission selecting condition are included in the topics of the
reception selecting condition.
[0449] The reception granting condition and the transmission
granting condition specify a message that the transmission user and
the reception user must own (essential message), and a message that
the transmission user and the reception user must not own
(prohibited message), respectively.
[0450] Stated differently, as a condition satisfied by each
message, each user specifies only one name of the shop, at least
one topic, a range of points, and keywords (word, not word).
[0451] The system specifies a message that includes, in comments,
all of specified {word} in a specified range of time, a specified
shop, any of specified topics, a specified range of points, and
does not include any of the specified not {word} in comments. Note
that, unspecified items are not limited.
[0452] In the example illustrated in FIG. 26, a message regarding
the taste of ramen at Ramen professionals, having a point equal to
or lower than 30 points, and including keyword "tastes bad" or
"tastes terrible", but not "tasty" is specified, for example.
[0453] A data sequence for specifying an essential message and a
prohibited message may be described for each set. Note that,
specifying one of an essential message and a prohibited message may
be omitted.
[0454] Each user browses a message board including messages
selectively received based on the conditions from others or the
user sorted by a specified item, and adds and deletes the user's
own messages.
[0455] Upon specifying sorting keys, items can be specified as
layer (concatenation) keys. For example, the topic is specified as
the first key, and the time is specified as the second key. The
message board provides an interface similar to a bulletin board to
a user in that regard.
[0456] The user can use more than one message board. Each message
board is generated by specifying a condition for selectively
receiving messages to be displayed on the message board. The
condition includes a reception selecting condition regarding
messages to be received and displayed, and a reception granting
condition regarding any message owned by a transmission user
(owner) of the messages.
[0457] When the reception user inputs "selection receiving command"
with the reception selecting condition and the reception granting
condition and a sort key specified, the system sorts messages
received based on these conditions by the specified sort key, and
displays on input/output apparatus 200 as a message board.
[0458] The user may input the selection receiving command again by
specifying a message board that has already been set (the reception
selecting condition and the reception granting condition). In this
case, the message board is deleted once, and is updated depending
on the status of messages at that time.
[0459] In contrast, the user can disclose a message registered and
owned by the user himself by displaying the message on a message
board of another user by a "selection transmitting command".
[0460] The selection transmitting command includes a transmission
selecting command for selecting messages to be disclosed, and a
transmission granting condition regarding a given message owned by
the reception user who receives the messages.
[0461] When the transmission user inputs "selection transmitting
command", with the transmission selecting condition, the
transmission granting condition, and a sort key specified, the
system sorts messages owned by the transmission user selected based
on the transmission selecting condition by the specified sort key,
and displays the sorted messages on input/output apparatus 200 as a
transmission list.
[0462] At the same time, the system determines, based on these
conditions, a reception user who receives these messages and a
message board used for displaying (receiving) the messages, adds
the messages in the transmission list to each message board and
sorts the messages again and updates the message board of the
reception user on input/output apparatus 200.
[0463] An input by the user without specifying the reception
granting condition or the transmission granting condition in the
same format as the selection receiving command and the selection
transmitting command, that is, an input not including the essential
message or the prohibited message is provided, the command is
treated as "reception condition removing command" or "transmission
condition removing command".
[0464] Stated differently, selective reception or selective
transmission (disclosure) regarding (reception user, reception
selecting condition) and (transmission user, transmission selecting
condition) that has been performed is stopped.
[0465] The user may input, using input/output apparatus 200, "data
adding command" and "data deleting command" including messages in
the formats described above so as to add or remove a message owned
by the user.
[0466] The system modifies the reception data items stored in the
reception data storage section 107 such that the reception data
items are suitable for transmission/reception available in a state
after the change by adding/removing message, and reflects the
modification to the display on the message board.
[0467] The system processes each command described above based on
the same procedure as described in the embodiment.
[0468] The configuration of the system, and processing by data
exchange section 104 and input/output control section 101 are
identical to those in Embodiment. Accordingly, in Example, methods
for achieving function of each storage section are described with
reference to specific data and conditions described above as
information sufficient to implement the system.
[0469] In the system, the user (owner user, reception user,
transmission user) uses a mobile phone number as an item of
information record. Data sequences of the reception selecting
condition and the transmission selecting condition are used for the
reception selecting condition and the transmission selecting
condition. Data sequences of the reception granting condition and
the transmission granting condition are used for the reception
granting condition and the transmission granting condition. Data
sequences of the data are used for the data. As an alias, 4-digit
integers are used. A port number used for communication with
input/output apparatus 200 is used as input/output apparatus
200.
[0470] (Reception Condition Removing Function, Reception Condition
Adding Function)
[0471] Reception condition storage section 105 stores a mobile
phone number of a user and data sequences of the reception
selecting condition and the reception granting condition as
[reception user, reception selecting condition, reception granting
condition].
[0472] Reception condition storage section 105 assigns indexes to
the data sequences sorted by the following concatenation keys.
[0473] The priority of the keys is the first key, and the second
key, from left to right.
X1: Shop in the reception selecting condition, reception user
mobile phone number X2: Reception user mobile phone number
[0474] The reception condition removing function is implemented,
using index X1, by listing data sequences of [reception user,
reception selecting condition, reception granting condition] having
a matching shop and the mobile phone number of the reception user
in the specified reception selecting condition, and by removing
data sequences having a reception selecting condition matching the
specified reception selecting condition.
[0475] The reception condition adding function is implemented,
using indexXl, by storing a data sequence of [reception user,
reception selecting condition, reception granting condition] and
adding an entry specifying the data sequence at a position at the
tail of entries having a matching shop in the reception selecting
condition specified and mobile phone number of the reception
user.
[0476] (Reception Selecting Condition Searching Function)
[0477] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the process for
implementing the reception selecting condition searching
function.
[0478] The system first receives an input of transmission selecting
condition SS (SM01).
[0479] Next, using index X1, the system lists data sequences having
[reception user, reception selecting condition, reception granting
condition] having a reception selecting condition including a shop
matching the shop in SS, and generates list LRS including the
listed data sequences (SM02).
[0480] Next, the system determines whether or not LRS is empty
(SM03). If the determination in SM03 is yes, the system ends the
process.
[0481] In contrast, if the determination in SM03 is no, the system
removes one [reception user RU, reception selecting condition RS,
reception granting condition RG] out of LRS (SM04).
[0482] Next, the system determines whether the RS has the lower
limit in time lower than or equal to the lower limit in time in SS
(SM05).
[0483] If the determination in SM05 is no, the process returns to
SM03, and the system determines whether or not LRS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SM03 to SM05 as
long as the determination in SM03 is no, and the determination in
SM05 is no.
[0484] In contrast, if the determination in SM05 is yes, the system
determines whether the upper limit of the time in RS is greater
than or equal to the upper limit of the time in SS (SM06).
[0485] If the determination in SM06 is no, the process returns to
SM03, and the system determines whether or not LRS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SM03 to SM06 as
long as the determination in SM03 is no, the determination in SM05
is yes, and the determination in SM06 is no.
[0486] In contrast, if the determination in SM06 is yes, the system
determines whether or not all of the topics in SS are included in
the topics in RS (SM07).
[0487] If the determination in SM07 is no, the process returns to
SM03, and the system determines whether or not LRS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SM03 to SM07 as
long as the determination in SM03 is no, the determination in SM05
is yes, the determination in SM06 is yes, and the determination in
SM07 is no.
[0488] In contrast, if the determination in SM07 is yes, the system
outputs [RU, RS, RG] (SM08). Subsequently, the process returns to
SM03, and the system determines whether or not LRS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SM03 to SM08 as
long as the determination in SM03 is no, the determination in SM05
is yes, the determination in SM06 is yes, and the determination in
SM07 is yes.
[0489] By performing the procedure, [reception user, reception
selecting condition, reception granting condition] having a
reception selecting condition including a matching shop name, a
range of time in the transmission selecting condition included in a
range of time in the reception selecting condition, and all of
topics in the transmission selecting condition included in topics
of the reception selecting condition is output.
[0490] (Reception Condition User Search Function)
[0491] The reception condition user search function can be
implemented by listing data sequences of [reception user, reception
selecting condition, reception granting condition] matching a
mobile phone number of a specified reception user, by using index
X2.
[0492] (Transmission Condition Removing Function, Transmission
Condition Adding Function)
[0493] Transmission condition storage section 106 stores data
sequences similar to the data sequences stored in reception
condition storage section 105 as [transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, transmission granting condition].
[0494] Transmission condition storage section 106 assigns indexes
to the data sequences sorted by the following concatenation keys to
these data sequences.
X3: Shop in the transmission selecting condition, transmission user
mobile phone number X4: Transmission user mobile phone number,
entire transmission selecting condition
[0495] The transmission condition removing function is achieved,
using index X3, by listing data sequences of [transmission user,
transmission selecting condition, transmission granting condition]
having a shop and a mobile phone number of the transmission user
matching the specified transmission selecting condition, and
removing, from the listed data sequences, data sequences having a
transmission selecting condition matching the specified
transmission selecting condition.
[0496] The transmission condition adding function is implemented by
storing data sequences of [transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, transmission granting condition] and adding,
using index X3, an entry specifying the data sequence at a position
at the tail of entries having a matching shop and a matching
transmission user mobile phone number in the specified transmission
selecting condition.
[0497] (Transmission Selecting Condition Searching Function)
[0498] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the process for
implementing the transmission selecting condition searching
function.
[0499] The system first receives an input of reception selecting
condition RS (SN01).
[0500] The system subsequently lists, using index X3, data
sequences of [transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
transmission granting condition] having a transmission selecting
condition including a shop matching the shop in RS, and generates
list LSS including the listed items (SN02).
[0501] The system subsequently determines whether or not LSS is
empty (SN03). If the determination in SN03 is yes, the system ends
the process.
[0502] If the determination in SN03 is no, the system removes one
[transmission user SU, transmission selecting condition SS,
transmission granting condition SG] out of LSS (SN04).
[0503] Next, the system determines whether the RS has the lower
limit in time lower than or equal to the lower limit in time in SS
(SN05).
[0504] If the determination in SN05 is no, the process returns to
SN03, and the system determines whether or not LSS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SN03 to SN05 as
long as the determination in SN03 is no, and the determination in
SN05 is no.
[0505] In contrast, if the determination in SN05 is yes, the system
determines whether the upper limit of the time in RS is greater
than or equal to the upper limit of the time in SS (SN06).
[0506] If the determination in SN06 is no, the process returns to
SN03, and the system determines whether or not LSS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SN03 to SN06 as
long as the determination in SN03 is no, the determination in SN05
is yes, and the determination in SN06 is no.
[0507] In contrast, if the determination in SN06 is yes, the system
determines whether or not all of the topics in SS are included in
the topics in RS (SN07).
[0508] If the determination in SN07 is no, the process returns to
SN03, and the system determines whether or not LSS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SN03 to SN07 as
long as the determination in SN03 is no, the determination in SN05
is yes, the determination in SN06 is yes, and the determination in
SN07 is no.
[0509] In contrast, if the determination in SN07 is yes, the system
outputs [SU, SS, SG] (SN08). Subsequently, the process returns to
SN03, and the system determines whether or not LSS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SN03 to SN08 as
long as the determination in SN03 is no, the determination in SN05
is yes, the determination in SN06 is yes, and the determination in
SN07 is yes.
[0510] By performing the procedure, [transmission user,
transmission selecting condition, transmission granting condition]
having a transmission selecting condition including a matching shop
name, a range of time in the transmission selecting condition
included in a range of time in the reception selecting condition,
and all of topics in the transmission selecting condition included
in topics of the reception selecting condition is output.
[0511] (Transmission Condition User Searching Function)
[0512] The transmission condition user searching function can be
implemented, using index X4, by listing data sequences of
[transmission user, transmission selecting condition, transmission
granting condition] having a transmission user mobile phone number
matching the specified mobile phone number of the transmission
user.
[0513] (Owned Data Adding Function, Owned Data Removing
Function)
[0514] Owned data storage section 108 stores data sequences of the
message including an owner user mobile phone number as [owner user,
data]. Note that, the owner user may be a transmission user or a
reception user.
[0515] Owned data storage section 108 assigns the following indexes
to the data sequences and stores the data sequences with the
indexes.
X5: Owner user mobile phone number, shop, topic, time X6: Entire
message (data sequence)
[0516] The owned data adding function is implemented by storing the
message above and adding an entry indicating the message to index
X5 and index X6.
[0517] The owned data removing function is implemented by searching
for index X6, specifies a message [transmission user, data] stored
and removes a specified message, and removes entries of indexes X5
and X6 indicating the message.
[0518] (Granting Condition Determining Function)
[0519] Granting condition determining function is implemented by
the following procedure using index X5.
[0520] 1. Checking Essential Message in Reception Granting
Condition
[0521] The system lists, using index X5, messages using the
transmission user mobile phone number, the shop in the essential
message, and the topic of the essential message (if there are more
than one topic, each topic will be used) as keys.
[0522] Subsequently, the system checks the following conditions
1.1. to 1.3. for each of the listed messages, and if all of the
conditions are satisfied, the system determines that the message as
an essential message.
[0523] 1.1. Compare points with the lower limit and the upper limit
of the range of points in granting condition, and the points are
greater than or equal to the lower limit and smaller than or equal
to the upper limit.
[0524] 1.2. Search whether or not the comments include words in
{word} in a granting condition, and all of the words are
included.
[0525] 1.3. Search whether or not the comments include words in
not{word} in a granting condition, and none of the words is
included.
[0526] 2. Checking Prohibited Message in Reception Granting
Condition
[0527] The system lists, using index X5, messages using the
transmission user mobile phone number, the shop in the prohibited
message, the topic of the prohibited message (if there are more
than one topic, each topic will be used) as keys.
[0528] Subsequently, the system checks the conditions 1.1. to 1.3.
described above for each of the listed messages, and if all of the
conditions are satisfied, the system determines that the message as
a prohibited message.
[0529] 3. Checking Essential Message in Reception Granting
Condition
[0530] The system lists, using index X5, messages using the
reception user mobile phone number, the shop in the essential
message, the topic of the essential message (if there are more than
one, each topic will be used) as keys.
[0531] Subsequently, the system checks the conditions 1.1. to 1.3.
described above for each of the listed messages, and if all of the
conditions are satisfied, the system determines that the message as
an essential message.
[0532] 4. Checking Prohibited Message in Reception Granting
Condition
[0533] The system lists, using index X5, messages using the
reception user mobile phone number, the shop in the prohibited
message, the topic of the prohibited message (if there are more
than one, each topic will be used) as keys.
[0534] Subsequently, the system checks the following conditions
1.1. to 1.3. for each of the listed messages, and if all of the
conditions are satisfied, the system determines that the message as
a prohibited message.
[0535] 5. Final Check
[0536] When a message is detected in the item 1 and the item 3, and
no message is detected in the item 2 and the item 4, the system
determines that the reception granting condition and the
transmission granting condition are satisfied for each reception
user and transmission user, and determines that the reception
granting condition and the transmission granting conditions are not
satisfied otherwise.
[0537] (Selection Condition Searching Function)
[0538] Selection condition searching function is implemented by the
following procedure using index X5.
[0539] 1. Messages listed in the following item 2 are listed for
each topic in the transmission selecting condition.
[0540] 2. Using (i) a mobile phone number of a transmission user, a
shop in the transmission selecting condition, a topic, and the
lower limit of time, and (ii) a mobile phone number of a
transmission user, a shop in the transmission selecting condition,
a topic, and the upper limit of time as keys, messages having a
matching mobile phone number, shop, and topic, and the time is
greater than or equal to the lower limit and smaller than or equal
to the upper limit are output, using index X5.
[0541] In the procedure described above, among data items owned by
the transmission user, the data items satisfying the transmission
selection condition are selected.
[0542] In the system, regarding the transmission selecting
condition and the reception selecting condition which are
connectable, the data items satisfying the transmission selecting
condition always satisfy the reception selecting condition.
Accordingly, evaluation on the reception selecting condition may be
omitted.
[0543] (Reception Condition Adding Function and Others)
[0544] Reception data storage section 107 stores data sequences
including a reception user mobile phone number, a data sequence of
the reception selecting condition, a transmission user mobile phone
number, a data sequence of the transmission selecting condition,
and data sequences composed of the data sequence of the data as
[reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission user,
transmission selecting condition, data].
[0545] Reception data storage section 107 assigns indexes sorted by
the following concatenation key to the data sequences.
X7: a reception user mobile phone number, a shop in the reception
selecting condition, a transmission user mobile phone number, a
shop in the transmission selecting condition
[0546] The reception data adding function is implemented by storing
data sequences of [reception user, reception selecting condition,
transmission user, transmission selecting condition, data], by
adding an entry specifying the data sequence to the tail of the
entries having a matching sort key of index X7.
[0547] The reception data reception selecting condition removing
function is implemented, using index X7, by listing data sequences
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission
user, transmission selecting condition, data] having the matching
specified reception user mobile phone number and the shop at the
reception selecting condition, and by removing, from the listed
data sequences, data sequences having a reception selecting
condition specified by the reception selecting condition.
[0548] The reception data transmission selecting condition
specifying removing function is implemented, using index X7, by
listing data sequences of [reception user, reception selecting
condition, transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
data] having the matching specified reception user mobile phone
number, the shop in the reception selecting condition, and by
removing, from the listed data sequences, data sequences having a
reception selecting condition specified by the reception selecting
condition.
[0549] The reception data reception selecting condition searching
function is implemented by listing, using index X7, data sequences
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission
user, transmission selecting condition, data] having the matching
specified reception user mobile phone number and the shop in the
reception selecting condition, and by selectively listing, among
the listed data sequences, data sequences having a reception
selecting condition matching the specified reception selecting
condition.
[0550] (Alias Searching Function)
[0551] Conversion storage section 103 stores, as [reception user,
transmission user, alias], a data sequence including a reception
user mobile phone number, a transmission user mobile phone number,
and a unique 4-digit integer.
[0552] Conversion storage section 103 assigns the following indexes
to the data sequences and stores the data sequences with the
indexes.
X8: Reception user mobile phone number, transmission user mobile
phone number X9: Reception user mobile phone number, 4-digit
integer
[0553] Conversion storage section 103 in the system includes
pseudorandom number generating section that generates a
pseudorandom number composed of a 4-digit integer. The pseudorandom
number generating section may be configured by a known method for
generating pseudorandom numbers.
[0554] The alias searching function is implemented by the following
procedure.
[0555] 1. Index X8 is searched using the reception user mobile
phone number as the first key, and the transmission mobile phone
number as the second key, and when a matching entry is found, a
data sequence including [reception user, transmission user, alias]
is returned.
[0556] 2. When no matching entry is found, the next step is
performed.
[0557] 2.1. A 4-digit integer is generated by the pseudorandom
number generating section, index X9 is searched using the reception
user mobile phone number as the first key and the generated 4-digit
integer as the second key, and when a matching entry is found, 2.1.
is repeated again.
[0558] 2.2. A data sequence including 4-digit integer having no
matching entry, a transmission user mobile phone number, and a
reception user mobile phone number is stored as [reception user,
transmission user, alias], and adds an entry indicating the data
sequence to indexes X8 and X9.
[0559] 2.3. The data sequence is returned to the function which
called the alias searching function.
[0560] (Transmission User Searching Function)
[0561] The transmission user searching function is implemented by
the following procedure.
[0562] 1. Search index X9 using a reception user mobile phone
number as the first key, and a 4-digit integer as the second key,
and returns a data sequence including [reception user, transmission
user, alias] specified by the entry match.
[0563] In the system, input/output apparatus 200 and input/output
control section 101 are connected by a network. Accordingly,
input/output control section 101 treats input/output apparatus 200
as a port number connecting input/output apparatus 200. [Reception
user, reception selecting condition] is represented as a data
sequence similar to the data sequences described above, and
[reception user, reception selecting condition, input/output
apparatus 200] is handled as the data sequence with the port number
representing input/output apparatus 200 added.
[0564] Input/output storage section 102 assigns indexes sorted by
the following concatenation key to the data sequences, and stores
the data sequences.
X0: Reception user mobile phone number, reception selecting
condition
[0565] The reception display adding function, the reception display
removing function, and reception input/output apparatus 200
searching function is implemented by an operation for storing or
removing the data sequence of [reception user, reception selecting
condition, input/output apparatus 200] and an operation on index
X0.
[0566] The system uses a computer connected to a network by the
port number above as input/output apparatus 200.
[0567] The computer includes a program for displaying, on a message
board window, a reception data item received from a port for each
[reception user, reception selecting condition], and a program for
adding, to an input command and an information record, a port
number representing input/output apparatus 200, and transmitting
the data sequence to the port.
[0568] A program for displaying a message on the message board
window sorts received messages by a sort key provided with the
selection receiving command specifying the reception user and the
reception selecting condition, and displays the received
messages.
[0569] Using the system having the configuration described above,
the user inputs, to input/output apparatus 200, a selection
receiving command specifying the reception selecting condition and
the reception granting condition, as the reception user. With this,
with regard to a transmission user who has already input the
selection transmitting command, and registered the conditions with
a transmission selecting condition connectable to the reception
selecting condition and the transmission granting condition
specified, only when the transmission user and the reception user
(the user himself) satisfy the reception granting condition and the
transmission granting condition, respectively, among messages owned
by the transmission user, messages satisfying both of the reception
selecting condition and the transmission selecting condition can be
displayed on a message board corresponding to the reception
selecting condition of the reception user (the user himself).
[0570] The user inputs, as a transmission user, a selection
transmitting command with a transmission selecting condition and
the transmission granting condition specified to the system. With
this, with regard to a reception user who has already input the
selection receiving command with a reception selecting condition
connectable to the transmission selecting condition, and the
reception granting condition specified, and registered the
conditions, only when the reception user and the transmission user
(the user himself) satisfy the transmission granting condition and
the reception granting condition, respectively, among messages
owned by the transmission user, messages satisfying both of the
reception selecting condition and the transmission selecting
condition, among the messages owned by the transmission user (the
user himself) can be displayed on a message board corresponding to
the reception selecting condition of the reception user, in
addition to the messages that have already been received.
[0571] Upon displaying messages on the message board, the
identification information of the owner (transmission) user of each
message is converted into an alias before display, including the
identification of the user included in a comment.
[0572] With these operations, messages can be received and
transmitted between unspecified users while limiting the partner of
transmission/reception without disclosing identification
information of the partner by a selecting condition regarding the
message to be transmitted/received, and a granting condition
regarding messages owned by the transmission user and the reception
user.
[0573] The user can also remove the reception selecting condition
that has been registered by the user himself and stop receiving and
displaying messages performed by using the reception selecting
condition, by inputting the reception condition removing command
with the reception selecting condition specified.
[0574] The user can also remove the transmission selecting
condition registered by the user himself and stop transmitting
messages using the transmission selecting condition, remove
messages received by the reception user by the
transmission/reception from the reception data, and removes from
the display to the reception user by inputting a transmission
condition removing command by specifying the transmission selecting
condition.
[0575] By inputting a data adding command including a new message,
the user adds the message to owned messages of the user's own, and
updates owned data of the user received and displayed by the
reception user and the data received by the user as the reception
user to available transmission/reception data in a state after the
message is added.
[0576] By inputting a data removing command including the message
identical to the owned message, the user removes the message from
the owned messages of the user's own, and updates owned data of the
user received and displayed by the reception user and the data
received by the user as the reception user to available
transmission/reception data in a state after the message is
removed.
[0577] With the operations of the system, the user can exchange
messages in real time limiting a transmission/reception partner,
without mutually disclosing identification information.
Example 2
[0578] In the following Example 2, a public personal information
database system treating information record-type personal
information as data items, which is an example of a system
implemented by modifying Embodiment described above will be
described.
[0579] In the public personal information database system
(hereafter referred to as the system), the configuration of each
procedure described in Embodiment is changed and
transmission/reception is actually performed only when the
reception user inputs a selection receiving command from
input/output apparatus 200.
[0580] Stated differently, in the same manner as the regular
database search and the Internet search, changes in available
transmission/reception are not reflected in real time to the
display of the reception data item and the display to the reception
user, in synchronization with changes in owned data, transmission
selecting conditions, and transmission granting conditions, from
the side of the transmission user.
[0581] Accordingly, in the system, the configuration of Embodiment
is changed as follows, and the configuration after the change is
applied to the specific data process.
[0582] In the system, since it is not necessary to use the
reception condition removing command, the procedure for the
reception condition removing command is omitted from the procedure
performed by the input/output control section 101 and the procedure
for receiving condition removing process is omitted from the
procedure performed by data exchange section 104.
[0583] Furthermore, in the system, reception condition storage
section 105 and input/output storage section 102 are removed from
functional blocks configuring the system. Furthermore, in the
system, a step using the function of reception condition storage
section 105 and input/output storage section 102 and a step
executed using the processing result of the functions are removed
from the procedures by input/output control section 101 and data
exchange section 104.
[0584] Note that, a data part of [owner user, data] handled by the
system does not include a user identifier. Accordingly, in the
third partial process, steps from SZ06 to SZ09 are omitted, and the
process immediately proceeds from SZ05 to SZ10.
[0585] In addition, the first partial process is omitted from the
procedure.
[0586] Furthermore, SA02 and SA03 are omitted from the selection
receiving process procedure.
[0587] Furthermore, since it is not necessary to store the data
item selectively received in the reception data storage section 107
after the data item is displayed to the reception user, SA04 is
moved to immediately before or immediately after SA14, and all of
the reception data items searched in SA13 are removed.
[0588] In the system, the reception data storage section 107 merely
stores the reception data item transmitted/received by the
selection receiving process temporarily before the data item is
displayed by input/output apparatus 200.
[0589] Furthermore, SG04 is omitted from the selection receiving
command process procedure.
[0590] All of steps at SC04 or after are omitted from the selection
transmitting process procedure, and the process ends when SC03
ends.
[0591] In the selection transmitting command process procedure, the
content in SI02 is changed to "input [SU, SS, SG] and perform
"selection transmitting process" by data exchange section 104", and
two subsequent partial processes and SI03 are omitted. Accordingly,
the process ends when SI02 ends.
[0592] In the transmission condition removing process procedure,
all of the steps at and after SD04 are omitted, and the process
ends when SD02 ends.
[0593] In the transmission condition removing command process
procedure, the process in SJ02 is changed to "input [SU, SS] and
perform "transmission condition removing process" by data exchange
section 104", and two subsequent partial processes and SJ03 are
omitted. Accordingly, the process ends when SJ02 ends.
[0594] In data adding process procedure, all of the steps at and
after SE03 are omitted, and the process ends when SE02 ends.
[0595] In data adding command process procedure, the process in
SK02 is changed to "input [U, D] and perform "data adding process"
by data exchange section 104", all of three partial processes and
SK03 and SK04 are omitted, and only SK01 and SK02 are
performed.
[0596] From the data removing process procedure, all of steps at
and after SF03 are omitted, and the process ends when SF02
ends.
[0597] In the data removing command process procedure, the detail
of SL02 is changed to "input [U, D] and performs "data removing
process" by data exchange section 104". All of the three partial
processes and SL03 and SL04 are omitted, and only SL01 and SL02 are
performed.
[0598] As described above, the transmission/reception is performed
in the system only when the reception user inputs the selection
receiving command. The selection transmitting command and the
transmission condition removing command merely adds (registers) or
removes the transmission selecting condition and the transmission
granting condition, and the data adding command and the data
removing command merely adds and removes the owned data.
[0599] The personal information record handled by the system
includes a plurality of fields, and each field includes a field
name and a field value.
[0600] Each information record includes a field with a field name
"owner" including a user ID of the owner.
[0601] In the following description, an example in which personal
information record including the following fields is used as a data
item is described. [0602] Owner, age, height, weight, blood glucose
level
[0603] In the following description, a value in each field is
represented by adding "value" after the field (name). For example,
a value in "age" field is referred to as "age value", and a value
in "blood glucose level" field is referred to as "blood glucose
level value".
[0604] For one owner (transmission user), information records
having the same owner value are registered for each age, up until
the user's current age.
[0605] Among the age values of the information records having the
same owner value, the largest age value represents the owner's
current age.
[0606] The owned data storage section 108 stores the information
records as rows of a table having each field as a column.
[0607] The rows are treated as data sequences including field names
and field values separated by commas ",".
[0608] The data sequences are referred to as data information
records.
Owner, user159, age, 15, height, 155, weight, 46, blood glucose
level, 80 Owner, user159, age, 18, height, 162, weight, 44, blood
glucose level, 65 Owner, user314, age, 17, height, 165, weight, 50,
blood glucose level, 75
[0609] The data information record is used as (transmission user,
data) in the system.
[0610] The reception selecting condition and the transmission
selecting condition include a field name to be combined and
received (searched) and two values representing the lower limit and
the upper limit of a range of field values that the user wishes to
receive in combination separated by commas "," are arranged in an
order from age, height, weight, and blood glucose level separated
by commas ",".
[0611] An equal sign "=" before a value representing the upper
limit or the lower limit indicates that the upper limit or the
lower limit includes the value.
[0612] For example, the following reception selecting condition
specifies reception of "age and weight data" satisfying (the same
information record) "an age value of 18 or lower, and a weight
value greater than or equal to 45 and smaller than 55". [0613] Age,
=18, weight, =45, 55
[0614] In the system, the reception selecting condition and the
transmission selecting condition are "connectable" when the
conditions are set such that a data item satisfying the reception
selecting condition always satisfies the transmission selecting
condition.
[0615] Stated differently, when the field name in the reception
selecting condition and the field name specified by the
transmission selecting condition match and when the range of field
values in the reception selecting condition is included in the
range of field values in the transmission selecting condition, the
conditions are treated as "connectable".
[0616] A reception granting condition and a transmission granting
condition stored in association with the reception selecting
condition and the transmission selecting condition specify a data
item that a transmission user and a reception user must own (an
essential information record) and a data item that the user must
not own (prohibited information record) in a form similar to the
reception selecting condition described above.
[0617] For example, a reception granting condition indicating that
the reception of a data item owned by a user who owns an
information record satisfying "height value over 160" and who does
not own an information record satisfying "age value over 18" is
represented by the following two data sequences. [0618] Height,
160, [0619] Age, 18,
[0620] To put it differently, the condition represents a user who
"is 18 years old or younger at present, and has height already (or
once) passed 160".
[0621] In the system, the user (reception user, transmission user)
is identified by a user ID in the system.
[0622] [Reception user, reception selecting condition, reception
granting condition] and [transmission user, transmission selecting
condition, transmission granting condition] are represented as
follows, for example, by separating the user ID and each data
sequence by "/". [0623] user314/age, =18, weight, =45, 55/height,
160, /age, 18,
[0624] In the data sequence, a data sequence corresponding to
[reception user, reception selecting condition] or [transmission
user, transmission selecting condition] is [user314/age, =18,
weight, =45, 55]. In addition, a data sequence corresponding to the
reception granting condition or the transmission granting condition
is [/height, 160, /age, 18,].
[0625] In the system, the selection transmitting command and the
transmission condition removing command do not perform transmission
and reception, the transmission selecting condition only necessary
for transmission/reception is omitted from [reception user,
reception selecting condition, transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, data], and [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, data] is used as the
reception data item.
[0626] In the system, a data sequence [reception user, reception
selecting condition, transmission user, data] is obtained by
selecting and combining a data sequence corresponding to [reception
user, reception selecting condition] and a data sequence of a field
specified as the reception selecting condition, that is, [reception
user, reception selecting condition, transmission user, selected
data].
[0627] [Reception user, reception selecting condition, alias,
selected data] output by input/output control section 101 to
input/output apparatus 200 is a data sequence obtained by the
transmission user (user ID) of the data sequence to an alias
composed of a 4-digit integer, in the same manner as Example 1.
[0628] [Reception user, transmission user, alias] is a data
sequence obtained by concatenating user IDs of the reception user
and the transmission user, and an alias composed of a 4-digit
integer.
[0629] In the system, input/output apparatus 200 is connected to
the network, in the same manner as Example 1. A data sequence
[reception user, reception selecting condition, input/output
apparatus 200] is generated by concatenating a data sequence
corresponding to [reception user, reception selecting condition]
described above and a connection port number to input/output
apparatus 200.
[0630] (Transmission Condition Removing Function, Transmission
Condition Adding Function)
[0631] Transmission condition storage section 106 stores the data
sequences of [transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
transmission granting condition], and assigns indexes sorted by the
following concatenation keys to the data sequences.
X3: A character string connecting each field name in the
transmission selecting condition in an order of appearance in the
data information record. X4: Transmission user ID, data sequence of
the transmission selecting condition
[0632] The transmission condition removing function is implemented
by determining, using index X4, a data sequence of [transmission
user, transmission selecting condition, transmission granting
condition] including a data sequence of the input transmission user
ID and the transmission selecting condition, and removes the data
sequence (and removes each entry of indexes X3 and X4 specifying
the data sequences).
[0633] The transmission condition adding function is implemented by
storing a data sequence of [transmission user, transmission
selecting condition, transmission granting condition], and adding,
using index X3, an entry specifying the data sequence to a part for
adding an entry having a character string connecting field names of
the input transmission selecting condition in an order of
appearance in the data information record, (if matching entries
exist, at the end of the entries), and adding, using index X4, an
entry specifying the data sequence at a part for adding an entry
having the input transmission user ID and a data sequence of the
transmission selecting condition as keys.
[0634] (Transmission Selecting Condition Searching Function)
[0635] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the process for
implementing the transmission selecting condition searching
function.
[0636] The system first receives an input of reception selecting
condition RS (SO01).
[0637] Subsequently, the system creates character string FK
including a character string of field names in RS concatenated in
the appearance order in the data information record (SO02).
[0638] The system subsequently searches index X3 using FK as a key,
lists [transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
transmission granting condition] having a transmission selecting
condition with field name character string matching with RS, and
generates a list LSS including the listed items (SO03).
[0639] The system subsequently determines whether or not LSS is
empty (SO04). If the determination in SO04 is yes, the system ends
the process.
[0640] In contrast, if the determination in SO04 is no, the system
removes one [transmission user SU, transmission selecting condition
SS, transmission granting condition SG] out of LSS (SO05).
[0641] With regard to SS, the system subsequently determines
whether or not the lower limit of a range of the field values in
the RS is greater than or equal to the lower limit of the range of
the field values under the same name in the SS (SO06).
[0642] If the determination in SO06 is no, the process returns to
SO04, and the system determines whether or not LSS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SO04 to SO06 as
long as the determination in SO04 is no, and the determination in
SO06 is no.
[0643] In contrast, if the determination in SO06 is yes, the system
determines whether the upper limit of the range of the field values
in the RS is smaller than or equal to the upper limit of the range
of the field values under the same name in SS (SO07).
[0644] If the determination in SO07 is no, the process returns to
SO04, and the system determines whether or not LSS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SO04 to SO07 as
long as the determination in SO04 is no, the determination in SO06
is yes, and the determination in SO07 is no.
[0645] In contrast, if the determination in SO07 is yes, the system
outputs [SU, SS, SG] (SO08). Subsequently, the process returns to
SO04, and the system determines whether or not LSS is empty again.
Subsequently, the system repeats the process from SO04 to SO08 as
long as the determination in SO04 is no, the determination in SO06
is yes, and the determination in SO07 is yes.
[0646] By implementing the procedure, [transmission user,
transmission selecting condition, transmission granting condition]
having field names specified in the transmission selecting
condition matching the field names in the input reception selecting
condition, and the range of field values in the reception selecting
condition is included in the range of field values under the same
names in the transmission selecting condition is output.
[0647] (Owned Data Adding Function, Owned Data Removing
Function)
[0648] Owned data storage section 108 stores the data sequences of
the data information record as [owner user, data], and assigns
indexes sorted by the following concatenation key to the data
sequences.
X5: Owner user ID, data sequence of data information record
[0649] The owned data adding function is implemented by storing the
data information record above, and adding an entry indicating the
message to index X5.
[0650] The owned data removing function is implemented by searching
index X5, specifying a data information record matching the input
data information record, removing the specified data information
record, and removing an entry of index X5 representing the
specified record.
[0651] (Granting Condition Determining Function)
[0652] Granting condition determining function is implemented by
the following procedure using index X5.
[0653] 1. The system lists, using index X5, data information
records having an input transmission user ID matching (represented
by an entry) the owner user ID of the first key, and determines
whether or not each of the data information records is an essential
information record or a prohibited information record based on the
reception granting condition.
[0654] More specifically, the system determines whether or not a
field value specified as an essential information record or a
prohibited information record is in a specified range by comparing
the lower limit and the upper limit that are specified with the
field values in the listed data information records.
[0655] When at least one data information record determined as the
essential information record exists and when no data information
record determined as a prohibited information record exists, the
system determines that the reception granting condition with regard
to the transmission user is satisfied.
[0656] 2. The system lists, using index X5, a data information
record having an input reception user ID matching an owner user ID
of the first key (specified by an entry), and determines whether or
not each of the data information records is the essential
information record or the prohibited information record for the
transmission granting condition.
[0657] More specifically, the system determines whether or not a
field value specified as an essential information record or a
prohibited information record is in a specified range by comparing
the lower limit and the upper limit that are specified with the
field values in the listed data information records.
[0658] When at least one data information record determined as the
essential information record exists, and when no data information
record satisfying the prohibited information record exists, the
system determines that the transmission granting condition is
satisfied with regard to the reception user.
[0659] 3. When the determination shows that both the reception
granting condition and the transmission granting condition are
satisfied, the system determines that the reception granting
condition and the transmission granting condition are
satisfied.
[0660] (Selection Condition Searching Function)
[0661] The selection condition searching function is implemented by
the following procedure using index X5.
[0662] 1. The system lists, using index X5, data information
records having an owner ID of the first key matching the input
transmission user ID (specified by an entry), and determines
whether or not field values are in a range of field values
specified by the reception selecting condition.
[0663] More specifically, the system performs the determination by
comparing the specified lower limit and the specified upper limit
with the field values in the data information records.
[0664] 2. After the determination, the system extracts a
transmission user ID and each field name and each field value that
are specified, for each data information record including a field
value in a range of field value specified in the reception
selecting condition, and creates a data sequence including
concatenated transmission ID, field names, and values, and outputs
the data sequence as [transmission user, selected data].
[0665] (Received Data Adding Function, Received Data Reception
Selecting Condition Removing Function, Received Data Reception
Selecting Condition Searching Function)
[0666] Reception data storage section 107 stores the data sequences
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission
user, selected data] described above, and assigns indexes sorted by
the following concatenation key to the data sequences.
X7: Reception user ID, data sequence of the reception selecting
condition
[0667] The reception data adding function is implemented by adding
a data sequence of [reception user, reception selecting condition,
transmission user, selected data] and adding an entry representing
the data sequence to the tail of entries having a match with the
sort key in index X7.
[0668] The received data reception selecting condition removing
function is implemented, using index X7, by listing data sequences
of [reception user, reception selecting condition, transmission
user, selected data] matching data sequences of the specified
reception user ID and the data sequence of the reception selecting
condition, removing the listed data sequences, and removing each
entry of index X7 representing the data sequences.
[0669] The reception data reception selecting condition searching
function is implemented by listing data sequences of [reception
user, reception selecting condition, transmission user, selected
data] matching the specified reception user ID and data sequences
of the reception selecting condition, and outputting the listed
data sequences.
[0670] Conversion storage section 103 stores the data sequences of
[reception user, transmission user, alias] described above, and
assigns indexes sorted by the following concatenation keys to the
data sequences.
X8: Reception user ID, transmission user ID X9: Reception user ID,
4-digit integer
[0671] Conversion storage section 103 in the system includes a
pseudorandom number generating section that generates a 4-digit
integer pseudorandom number in the same manner as conversion
storage section 103 in Example 1, the alias searching function and
the transmission user searching function can be implemented by
using a reception user ID instead of a reception user mobile phone
number, and a transmission user ID instead of a transmission user
mobile phone number, in a procedure for implementing the functions
in Example 1.
[0672] Input/output storage section 102 stores data sequences of
[reception user, reception selecting condition, input/output
apparatus 200] described above, and assigns indexes sorted by the
following concatenation key to the data sequences.
X0: Reception user ID, data sequence of the reception selecting
condition
[0673] The reception display adding function, the reception display
removing function, and reception input/output apparatus 200
searching function are implemented by an operation for storing or
removing the data sequence of [reception user, reception selecting
condition, input/output apparatus 200] and an operation on index
X0.
[0674] In the same manner as Example 1, a computer connected to the
network using the port number is used as input/output apparatus 200
in the system.
[0675] The computer includes a program for displaying reception
data received from a port for each [reception user, reception
selecting condition] and a program for adding a port number
representing input/output apparatus 200 to an input command and an
information record, and transmitting the data to the port.
[0676] Using the system having the configuration described above,
the user inputs, to input/output apparatus 200, a selection
receiving command specifying the reception selecting condition and
the reception granting condition, as the reception user. With this,
with regard to a transmission user who specifies a transmission
selecting condition connectable to the reception selecting
condition and a transmission granting condition, and inputs a
selection transmitting command for registering the conditions, only
when the transmission user and the reception user (the user
himself) satisfies the reception granting condition and the
transmission granting condition, respectively, the data item
satisfying both the reception selecting condition and the
transmission selecting condition can be associated with the
reception selecting condition of the reception user (the user
himself), and the data item can be displayed on input/output
apparatus 200.
[0677] The user inputs, as a transmission user, a selection
transmitting command specifying a transmission selecting condition
and a transmission granting condition to the system. With this, the
transmission user has registered the transmission selecting
condition and the transmission granting condition associated with
the user himself. Hence, thereafter with regard to a reception
user, a selection receiving command with a reception selecting
condition connectable to the transmission selecting condition and a
reception granting condition are specified, only when the reception
user and the transmission user (the user himself) satisfies the
transmission granting condition and the reception granting
condition, respectively, a data item satisfying both the reception
selecting condition and the transmission selecting condition among
the data items owned by the transmission user can be associated
with the reception selecting condition of the reception user, and
the data item can be displayed on input/output apparatus 200.
[0678] Upon the display on input/output apparatus 200, the
identification information of owner (transmission) user of each
data item is converted into an alias and the alias is
displayed.
[0679] With the operations described above, the present invention
restricts a transmission/reception partner by a selection condition
regarding data to be transmitted/received and a granting condition
with regard to the data owned by the transmission user and the
reception user, and transmits/receives personal information data
other than the identification information between unspecified users
without specifying or disclosing the identification information of
the partner.
[0680] In addition, the user can remove the transmission selecting
condition (and transmission granting condition) that the user has
already registered, by inputting the transmission condition
removing command specifying the transmission selecting condition.
Subsequently, even if a reception user inputs a selection receiving
commend with a reception selecting condition connectable to the
transmission selecting condition and the reception granting
condition, the reception user does not receive the owned data of
the transmission user (the user himself) which satisfies both the
transmission selecting condition that has been removed and the
reception selecting condition.
[0681] Furthermore, the user can add the data information record to
the data information record owned by the user himself by inputting
a data adding command including a new data information record.
Thereafter, the user can add the data information record to the
data item to be transmitted/received when the selection receiving
command is input, and the presence of the data information record
affects the determination/judgment of the reception granting
condition and the transmission granting condition.
[0682] Similarly, the user can remove the data information record
from the data information records owned by the user by inputting a
data removing command including the same data information record as
a data information record owned by the user. Thereafter, the user
can remove the data information record from the data to be
transmitted/received when the selection receiving command is input,
and the absence of the data information record affects the
determination/judgment of the reception granting condition and the
transmission granting condition.
[0683] With these operations of the system, the user can exchange
(search) personal information data other than the identification
information while limiting the partner for transmission/reception
and without mutually disclosing the identification information.
[0684] Note that, the present invention is not limited to
Embodiment including Example 1 or Example 2. The present invention
can be implemented as arbitrary system 100 which includes selecting
(determining) a pair of [reception user, reception selecting
condition, reception granting condition] and [transmission user,
transmission selecting condition, transmission granting condition]
having the reception selecting condition and the transmission
selecting condition that are connectable to each other and the
reception granting condition and the transmission granting
condition satisfied by the data item owned by the reception user
and the transmission user who set the conditions, selecting
(determining), among the data items owned by the transmission user,
at least one [transmission user, data] having data items satisfying
both [reception selecting condition, transmission selecting
condition], and determining as (storing) the selected [transmission
user, data] in association with [reception user, reception
selecting condition].
[0685] In Example 1, all of transmission/reception available based
on the owned data and conditions in system 100 is performed, and
the state stored as the reception data item is maintained in real
time by a change in the reception data according to the change in
the owned data and the conditions. In Example 2, all of
transmission/reception available through the specified (reception
user and) reception selecting condition and the reception granting
condition are performed, and the reception data is displayed.
[0686] However, these are merely examples of the method for
selecting transmission/reception to be executed among available
transmission/reception. The present invention can be implemented by
including at least one of available transmission/reception.
[0687] For example, in Example 2, an upper limit for the number of
transmission/reception to be executed in one command is provided,
and when transmission/reception exceeding the upper limit are
available, only transmission/reception as many as the upper limit
may be executed, instead of executing all of the
transmission/reception that are available.
[0688] Furthermore, in the embodiment, transmission/reception is
performed in synchronization with the command input by the user.
However, the present invention is not limited to the operation.
System 100 may perform transmission/reception regularly, and the
user can search and view [reception user, reception selecting
condition, transmission user, transmission selecting condition,
data] stored in reception data storage section 107, specifying
[reception user, reception selecting condition].
[0689] Note that, in Embodiment and Examples, a search for a
connectable transmission selecting condition, that is,
determination on whether or not the condition is connectable is
performed for selecting a transmission selecting condition or a
reception selecting condition that are connectable to a reception
selecting condition of one reception user or a transmission
selecting condition of one transmission user from transmission
selecting conditions or reception selecting conditions of a
plurality of users. More specifically, in Embodiment and Examples,
connectable transmission selecting conditions or reception
selecting conditions of the users are selected from the
transmission selecting conditions or the reception selecting
conditions of a plurality of the users. The present invention is
not limited to this operation, and the reception selecting
condition of the specified reception user and the transmission
selecting condition of the transmission user may be determined as
to whether the conditions are connectable, and
transmission/reception (disclosure/non-disclosure of data) may be
performed between the reception user and the transmission user
based on the determination result.
[0690] For example, with regard to mobile game machines, game
machines encountering each other at a close range mutually exchange
data. In the data exchange system, a reception user and a
transmission user are already determined when
transmission/reception is necessary. According to the present
invention, reception selecting conditions, reception granting
conditions, transmission selecting conditions, and transmission
granting conditions specified by the users (usually set in advance
and stored) are exchanged first between the predetermined users
(game machines), and determination on availability of
transmission/reception and determination on data to be
transmitted/received can be determined based on the conditions and
the data items owned by the users mutually, by one of the game
machines, or a remote server.
[0691] Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented
using the reception selecting condition and the transmission
selecting condition only, without the reception granting condition
and the transmission granting condition.
[0692] Even in this case, the transmission user can transmit the
data owned by the user himself and satisfying the transmission
user's transmission selecting condition only to a reception user
who set the reception selecting condition connectable to the
transmission selecting condition, without specifying a partner.
[0693] Furthermore, in this case, by setting the reception
selecting condition, the reception user can receive the data
satisfying the reception selecting condition (and transmission
selecting condition) only from the data owned by the transmission
user who set a transmission selecting condition connectable to the
reception selecting condition, without specifying the partner.
[0694] According to the present invention, the content of the
reception selecting condition and the transmission selecting
condition, and a standard for determining whether the conditions
are "connectable or not" may be changed into various modifications
according to the purpose of specific data or data exchange.
[0695] For example, in Example 1, a standard "a match in a topic at
the beginning of a data sequence specifying the topic" may be added
to a standard for determining whether or not the conditions are
connectable. The addition can be made by, for example, inserting a
determination step having a role similar to the determination steps
before and after "the beginning of the topic in SS matches the
beginning of the topic in RS?" between steps SM0G and SM07, and
between steps SN06 and SN07.
[0696] As described above, according to the present invention, the
determination standard on whether or not the conditions are
connectable is not limited to a standard with regard to a set of
data selected by the reception selecting condition and the
transmission selecting condition.
[0697] Furthermore, according to the present invention,
transmission/reception may not be limited to transmission/reception
between users having a reception selecting condition and a
transmission selecting condition that are connectable, the partner
for transmission/reception is limited using only a reception
granting condition or a transmission granting condition, and
transmission/reception is performed without specifying the partner
but limiting the partner.
[0698] In this case, the reception selecting condition or the
transmission selecting condition are used only as a condition for
selecting data transmitted/received between a reception user and a
transmission user available for transmission/reception.
[0699] According to the present invention, conditions such as the
reception selecting condition, the transmission selecting
condition, the reception granting condition, and the transmission
granting condition may be included in the data owned by the user.
More advanced restriction on the communication partner and the data
can be set by specifying a condition regarding the conditions
themselves as a part of the conditions or by including a step for
evaluating/determining a result of evaluation/determination of the
conditions to a procedure for evaluating/determining the
condition.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0700] The present invention is applicable to a data exchange
system and a data exchange system for exchanging data on a
network.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0701] 100 Data exchange system [0702] 101 Input/output control
section [0703] 102 Input/output storage section [0704] 103
Conversion storage section [0705] 104 Data exchange section [0706]
105 Reception condition storage section [0707] 106 Transmission
condition storage section [0708] 107 Reception data storage section
[0709] 108 Owned data storage section [0710] 200 Input/output
apparatus
* * * * *